Barley with reduced ssii activity and starch containing products with a reduced amylopectin content

ABSTRACT

Barley with reduced SSII activity has a starch structure with reduced amylopectin content and a consequent high relative amylose content. Additionally the grain can have a relatively high β glucan content. The structure of the starch may also be altered in a number of ways which can be characterised by having a low gelatinsation temperature but with reduced swelling. The viscosity of gelatinised starch of the starch is also reduced. There is a chain length distribution of the amylopectin content and a low crystallinity of the starch. The starch is also characterised by having high levels of lipid associated starch exhibiting very high levels of V form starch crystallinity. The dietary fibre content of the starch is high. This has desirable dietary and food processing characteristics.

[0001] This invention relates to a barley plant with a reduced SSII enzyme activity leading to a starch having reduced amylopectin content. The invention also relates to starch and grain and food products obtained therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] One finding in nutritional science is that resistant starch has important implications for bowel health, in particular health of the large bowel. The beneficial effects of resistant starch result from the provision of a nutrient to the large bowel wherein the intestinal microflora are given an energy source which is fermented to form inter alia short chain fatty acids. These short chain fatty acids provide nutrients for the colonocytes, enhance the uptake of certain nutrients across the large bowel and promote physiological activity of the colon. Generally if resistant starches or other dietary fibre is not provided the colon is metabolically relatively inactive.

[0003] There has in recent years been a direction to look at providing for resistant starches from various sources to address bowel health. Accordingly high amylose starches have been developed in certain grains such as maize for use in foods as a means of promoting bowel health.

[0004] The physical structure of starch can have an important impact on the nutritional and handling properties of starch for food products. Certain characteristics can be taken as an indication of starch structure including the distribution of amylopectin chain length, the degree of crystallinity and the presence of forms of crystallinity such as the V-complex form of starch crystallinity. Forms of these characteristics can also be taken as indicator of nutritional or handling properties of foods containing these starches. Thus short amylopectin chain length may be an indicator of low crystallinity and low gelatinisation and is also thought to have a correlation with reduced retrogradation of amylopectin. Additionally shorter amylopectin chain length distribution is thought to reflect organoleptic properties of food in which the starch is included in significant amounts. Reduced crystallinity of a starch may also be indicative of a reduced gelatinisation temperature of starch and additionally it is thought to be associated with enhanced organoleptic properties. The presence of V-complex crystallinity or other starch associated lipid will enhance the level of resistant starch and thus dietary fibre.

[0005] Lines of barley having high amylose starch contents have been identified in the past. These have only resulted in relatively modest increases in amylose content to a maximum of about 45% of total starch such as in the barley variety known as High Amylose Glacier (AC38). Whilst elevated amylose starches of that type are useful a starch with a higher amylose content still is preferred, and certain other species of grain are bred to have higher amylose content starches with levels in the 90 percentile range. These are very resistant to digestion and bring a greater health benefit.

[0006] There is a problem with providing the high amylose starches because known high amylose starches also have a high gelatinisation temperature. Gelatinisation temperature is reflective of the comminution energy required to process such foods. Thus higher temperatures are normally required to process grain or flour to manufacture foods from such grains or starches. Thus generally products having high amylose starches are more expensive. Similarly from the point of view of the consumer longer times and higher temperatures may be required to prepare the manufactured foods, or to make foods from flour having high amylose starches. Thus there is a significant disadvantage in the provision of high amylose starches in foods.

[0007] Another nutritional component of the grains and in particular of barley as β-glucans. β-glucans consist of glucose units bonded by β (1-4) and/or β (1-3) glycosidic linkages and are also not degraded by human digestive enzymes which makes them suitable as a source of dietary fibre. β-glucans can be partially digested by endogenous colonic bacteria which fermentation process gives rise to short chain fatty acids (predominantly acetate, propionate and butyrate) which are beneficial to mucosal cells lining the intestine and colon (Sakata and Engelhard Comp. Biochem Physiol. 74a:459-462 (1983))

[0008] Ingestion of β-glucan also has the effect of increasing bile acid excretion leading to a reduction in total serum cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL) with a lowering of the risk of coronary disease. Similarly β-glucans act by attenuating excursions in postprandial blood glucose concentration. It is thought that both of these effects are based on the increase of viscosity in the contents of the stomach and intestines.

[0009] The composition of foods containing starches and the intimate relationship of those starches with other nutritional or other components can have a significant impact on the nutritional value of those foods or on the functional characteristics of those components in the preparation or structure of the foods.

[0010] Whilst modified starches or β glucans, for example, can be utilised in foods that provide functionality not normally afforded by unmodified sources, such processing has a tendency to either alter other components of value or carry the perception of being undesirable due to processes involved in modification. Therefore it is preferable to provide sources of constituents that can be used in unmodified form in foods.

[0011] The barley variety MK6827 is available from the Barley Germplasma Collection (USDA-ARS National Small Grain Germplasma Research Facility Aberdeen, Id. 831290 USA). The grain of MK6827 is shrunken and has a highly coloured husk and an elongate shape and, in the hands of the inventors, this grain is very difficult to process including being very resistant to milling. The properties of MK6827 grain had not been characterised before, nor had the nature of the mutation been ascertained nor is it considered suitable for producing food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] This invention arises from the isolation and characterisation of SSII mutant of barley plants the grain of which is found to contain starch that has reduced amylopectin content and therefore high relative levels of amylose and therefore has elevated levels of dietary fibre.

[0013] The grain of the mutant and grain from crosses into certain genetic backgrounds additionally has an elevated level of β glucan. The combination of elevated β glucan level and resistant starch contributing to high dietary fibre is thought by the inventors to be unique to the present invention.

[0014] Additionally, at least in some genetic backgrounds, it is found that grain from such mutants contain starch that have high relative levels of amylose, and also have low gelatinisation temperatures. The low swelling charactistics of such starch during and following gelatinisation also has advantages in certain dietary and food processing applications.

[0015] Furthermore, grain from such mutants are found to contain starch that have high relative levels of amylose, the amylose levels found are higher than 50% of the starch content which is a level never before found in unmodified starch derived from barley.

[0016] The starch of the mutants and backcrossed lines derived from the mutants (to the extent that the backcrosses have been tested) exhibit a resistant starch, with an altered structure indicated by specific physical characteristics including one or more of the group comprising the presence of a high relative amylose content, physical inaccessibility by reason of having a high β-glucan content, altered granule morphology, and the presence of starch associated lipid, and the altered structure being indicated by a characteristic selected from one or more of the group comprising low crystallinity, reduced amylopectin chain length distribution and presence of appreciable starch associated lipid.

[0017] Additionally thus far the grain derived from the mutant barley plants can readily be used in food processing procedures.

[0018] This invention in one aspect might be said to reside in starch obtained from the of grain of a barley plant the barley plant having a reduced level of SSII activity, said starch granules having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content.

[0019] The invention might in another aspect of broadly be said to reside a grain useful for food production obtained from a barley plant the barley plant having a reduced level of SSII activity, starch of said grain having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content.

[0020] In a yet further aspect the invention might broadly said to reside in a barley plant with a reduced level of SSII activity, said barley plant capable of bearing grain, starch of said grain having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content, said grain suitable for food production.

[0021] Alternatively the invention could be said to reside in an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a barley SSII protein said nucleic acid capable of hybridising under stringent conditions with SEQ ID NO 1. or a cell carrying a replicable recombinant vector carrying said nucleic acid molecule. In a yet further form the invention might be isolated nucleic acid molecule capable of hybridising specifically to SEQ ID NO 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] For a better understanding, the invention will now be described with reference to a number of examples.

[0023]FIG. 1 Analysis of the starch molecular size distribution as determined by HPLC separation of starch in 90% DMSO. (a) Himalaya (b) AC38 (c) 342 (d) 292

[0024]FIG. 2 Photographs showing the grain morphology of mutant and parental lines. (a) Himalaya (b) AC38 (c) 292 (d) Waxiro (e) 342 (f) Tantangara (g) MK6827 (h) Sloop. The length (L), width (W) and thickness (T) dimensions of the grain are illustrated in panel (a).

[0025]FIG. 3 Analysis of the chain length distribution of various mutant and wild type starches using FACE. (a) normalised chain length distribution (b) comparison of chain length distributions by difference plot. Samples were 342 (▪), 292 (), Tantangara (s), AC38 (

), MK6827 (♦) and Himalaya (+).

[0026]FIG. 4 RVA analysis of barley starch samples. Samples were Himalaya (

), Namoi (Δ), AC38 (◯), 342 (∇), 292 (▴) and MK6827 (▪). The temperature profile used during the profile is indicated by the unbroken line.

[0027]FIG. 5 X-ray diffraction data for mutant and wild type lines.

[0028]FIG. 6 Scanning electron micrographs of isolated barley starches. (a) Himalaya (b) Waxiro (c) AC38 (d) 292 (e) 342 (f) MK6827

[0029]FIG. 7. Loci on barley chromosome 7H showing the proximity of the nud1 and sex6 loci. Diagram after GrainGenes (http://wheat.pw.usda.gov/) Barley morphological genes, 7H map, author; Franckowiak J D.

[0030]FIG. 8. Relationships between seed dimensions and starch chain length distribution for 292× Tantangara doubled haploid lines. Lines denoted by (+) yielded the Himalaya PCR pattern and lines denoted by (◯) gave the 292 PCR result. Panel (A), the seed length to thickness ratio plotted against the percentage of starch chains with DP between 6 and 11; Panel (B) seed weight plotted against the percentage of starch chains with DP between 6 and 11

[0031]FIG. 9 Sequence of a barley SSII cDNA (SEQ ID NO 1) from the cultivar Himalaya

[0032]FIG. 10 The structure of the SSII genes from (1) T. tauschii (diploid wheat), (2) barley cultivar Morex. The thick lines represent exons and the thin lines introns. The straight line underneath each example indicates the region of the gene sequences. The dotted line represents a region of the barley SSII gene, from intron 7, that has not been sequenced but has been determined by PCR analysis to be approximately 3 kb in length.

[0033]FIG. 11 Comparisons of the predicted SSII cDNAs from MK6827 (SEQ ID NO 2), Morex (SEQ ID NO 3) and 292 (SEQ ID NO 4), and a cDNA sequence of Himalaya (SEQ ID NO 1). Predicted sequences were generated by identifying regions of the genomic sequences present in the Himalaya SSII cDNA. The ATG start codon and wild type stop codon are indicated, as are additional stop codons present in MK6827 (#) and 292 (&) respectively.

[0034]FIG. 12 Comparison of amino acid sequences deduced from the genes encoding SSII from barley lines 292 (SEQ ID NO 7), Morex (SEQ ID NO 5), MK6827 (SEQ ID NO 8), Himalaya (SEQ ID NO 8). Additional stop codons in 292 and MK6827 are indicated by the symbols (&) and (#) respectively.

[0035]FIG. 13. Position of the mutations in MK6827 (SEQ ID NO 2) and 292 (SEQ ID NO 4) in the barley SSII gene.

[0036]FIG. 14. Development and use of a PCR assay for the 292 mutation. (a) schematic representation of an SSII region from Himalaya amplified by the primers ZLSS2P4 and ZLBSSIIP5 (b) representation of the region amplified from the SSII gene from 292 using ZLSS2P4 and ZLBSSIIP5, showing the absence of one NlaIV site (c) agarose gel electrophoresis of NlaIV digested products from barley; Lane M; DNA marker ladder, lane 1: MK6827, lane 2; Himalaya; lane 3, Tantangara; lane 4, 292; lane 5, 342.

[0037]FIG. 15. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of starch granule proteins. Panel (A) 8% Acrylamide (37.5:1 Acryl/Bis) SDS-PAGE gel, electroblotted and probed with a SSII antibody produced against purified granule-bound SSII protein from Wheat. (B) 12.5% acrylamide (30:0.135 Acryl/Bis), silver stained. The migration of molecular weight standards of defined mass (units are kd) are indicated on each side of the Figure.

[0038]FIG. 16. A schematic representation of DNA constructs designed to down regulate SSII expression following stable transformation of barley (1) The SSII gene from nucleotides 1 to 2972 (see FIG. 9 for sequence) is inserted between the promoter and terminator in the sense orientation. (2) The SSII gene is inserted between the promoter and terminator in the anti-sense orientation from nucleotides 2972 to 1 (see FIG. 9 for sequence). (3) Duplex construct in which intron 3 of the barley SSII gene (between nucleotides 1559 and 2851) of the Morex SSII genomic sequence is inserted between exons 2 and 3 from the barley SSII cDNA from Himalaya (nucleotides 363 to 1157 from FIG. 9).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] Definitions

[0040] Glycaemic Index. Is a comparison of the effect of a test food such as white bread or glucose on excursions in blood glucose concentration. The Glycaemic Index is a measure of the likely effect of the food concerned on post prandial serum glucose concentration and demand for insulin for blood glucose homeostasis.

[0041] Resistant Starch. The sum of starch and products of starch digestion not absorbed in the small intestine of healthy humans but entering into the large bowel. Thus resistant starch excludes products digested and absorbed in the small intestine.

[0042] Resistant starches can be classified in four groups.

[0043] RS1 physically inaccessible starch. Examples of this form of starch arise where the starch is entrapped within a protein or similar matrix or within plant cell wall, or might arise because of the partial milling of grain or in legumes after cooling.

[0044] RS2 Resistant granules. These are generally raw starches such as those that arise from raw potato or green banana, some legumes and high amylose starches.

[0045] RS3 Retrograded starches. These arise by heat/moisture treatment of starch or starch foods such as occurs in cooked and cooled potato, bread and cornflakes.

[0046] RS4 Chemically modified. These arise by reason of chemical modifications such as substitution or cross linking. This form of starch is often used in processed foods.

[0047] Dietary fibre. In this specification is the sum of carbohydrates or carbohydrate digestion products that is not absorbed in the small intestine of healthy humans but enters the large bowel. This includes resistant starch, β-glucan and other soluble and insoluble carbohydrate polymers. It is intended to comprise that portion of carbohydrates that are fermentable, at least partially, in the large bowel by the resident microflora.

[0048] Gelatinsation is the collapse (disruption) of molecular order within the starch granule with concomitant and irreversible changes in properties such as granular swelling, crystallite melting, loss of birefringence, viscosity development and starch solubilisation.

[0049] This invention arises from the isolation and characterisation of SSII mutant barley plants the grain of which is found to contain starch that has reduced amylopectin content and therefore high relative levels of amylose and therefore has elevated levels of dietary fibre.

[0050] Such mutants are found to have a number of quite desirable characteristics, and it has been shown that crosses into various other genetic backgrounds maintains at least some of those characteristics.

[0051] The grain of the mutant and grain from crosses into certain genetic backgrounds additionally has an elevated level of β glucan. The combination of elevated β glucan level and high dietary fibre is thought by the inventors to be unique to the present invention.

[0052] Additionally at least in some genetic backgrounds it is found that grain from such mutants are found to contain starch that have high relative levels of amylose, and also have low gelatinisation temperatures. The swelling charactistics of the gelatinisation of such starch also has the benefit of being low swelling which has advantages in certain dietary and food processing applications.

[0053] Furthermore grain from such mutants are found to contain starch that have high relative levels of amylose, the amylose levels found are higher than 50% of the starch content which is a level never before found in unmodified starch derived from barley.

[0054] The starch of the mutants and to the extent that the backcrosses have been tested exhibit a resistant starch, with an altered structure indicated by specific physical characteristics including one or more of the group comprising the presence of a high relative amylose content, physical inaccessibility by reason of having a high β-glucan content, altered granule morphology, and the presence of starch associated lipid, and the altered structure being indicated by a characteristic selected from one or more of the group comprising low crystallinity, reduced amylopectin chain length distribution and presence of appreciable starch associated lipid.

[0055] Additionally thus far the grain derived from the mutant barley plants can readily be used in food processing procedures.

[0056] Grain from such mutants in one form preferably contain starch that have high relative levels of dietary fibre, more particularly amylose as well as an elevated level of β glucan. The combination of elevated β glucan level and high amylose level is thought by the inventors to be unique to the present invention, and provide for a unique source of a combination of β-glucan and resistant starch that does not, at least in broader forms of the invention require mixing of β glucan and soluble dietary fibre together or modification of the component parts.

[0057] To the best of the knowledge of the inventors the barley plant of the present invention is the first time that there has been a barley grain having elevated relative dietary fibre levels in the form of resistant starch having an elevated amylose level, that also has elevated levels of β glucan that are at the higher end of the typical levels of β glucan or that go beyond that level. Grains that have β glucan content that are still higher are of the waxy phenotype and therefore have low levels of amylose.

[0058] It is known that there is a wide variation in β glucan levels in barley in the range of about 4% to about 18% by weight of the barley, but more typically from 4% to about 8% (Izydorcyk et al., (2000) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 48, 982-989; Zheng et al., (2000) Cereal Chemistry 77, 140-144; Elfverson et al., (1999) Cereal Chemistry 76, 434-438; Andersson et al., (1999) Journal of the Science of Foods and Agriculture 79, 979-986; Oscarsson et al., (1996) J Cereal Science 24, 161-170; Fastnaught et al., (1996) Crop Science 36, 941-946). Enhanced barley strains have been developed, Prowashonupana for example, which have between about 15% and about 18% by weight β-glucan but has a waxy phenotype. This is sold commercially under the name Sustagrain™, (ConAgra™ Specially Grain Products Company, Omaha, Nebr. USA).

[0059] The levels of β glucan contemplated by this invention may depend on the genetic background in which the amylopectin synthesis enzyme activity is reduced. However it is proposed that the reduction of the amylopectin synthesis activity will have the effect of elevating the relative level of dietary fibre which, in part, takes the form of amylose, and at the same time elevating the level of β glucan. One explanation for the concomitant elevation of β glucan with elevated relative amylose levels is that such elevation might be the result of a concentration effect of having reduced endosperm and may be further increased through the diversion of carbon from starch synthesis to β glucan synthesis.

[0060] Thus the grain of the barley plant preferably has a β glucan content that is greater than 6% of total non-hulled grain weight or more preferably greater than 7% and most preferably greater than 8%, however levels of β glucan in a waxy mutant has been measured as being as high as 15 to 18% and the present invention may contemplate levels as high, or higher, than that.

[0061] In a second preferable form the grain of the barley plant has a reduced gelatinsation temperature (as measured by differential scanning calorimetry)in addition to the relatively high amylose content. On the data shown for the exemplified barley this reduced gelatinisation temperature is not just reduced when compared to starch produced by barley with somewhat elevated amylose content but also when compared with starch produced from barley with starch having normal levels of amylose. Thus whilst the invention contemplates reduced gelatinisation temperatures relative to a corresponding high amylose starch, it may also contemplate a gelatinisation temperature reduced relative to that of starch with normal amylose levels.

[0062] Additionally in the genetic backgrounds thus far checked the starch is also characterised by a swelling in heated excess water that is lower than swelling of other starches tested.

[0063] In a third preferable form the starch has amylose levels of higher than 50% of the starch content which is a level never before found in unmodified starch derived from barley.

[0064] The starch of the present barley plant has a high relative amylose content and much higher than might be anticipated for a mutation in the SSII gene or other starch synthase gene. Thus in wheat mutants in SSII result in relative amylose levels of about 35% of starch. The amylose content of starch might be considered to be elevated when the content is significantly greater than the 25% or so that is present in normal barley grain and thus might be greater than about 30% w/w of total starch. Known barley plants considered to be high amylose have a content of 35-45%. The present invention however provides for barley with an amylose content that is greater than 50%, with is a level never before found in unmodified starch derived from barley.

[0065] The relative amylose content might be greater than 60% and more preferably, still greater than 70%. It may be desired to have even higher levels and thus it has been possible to achieve even higher levels in other plants by breeding with single mutations, such levels approach 90%. Thus the invention might encompass amylose levels of greater than 80% or greater than 90%.

[0066] In a fourth preferable form the starch also has an altered structure which gives rise to the resistant starch. This might arise from a high amylose content. Resistant starch might also arise because β-glucan is present at elevated levels and is likely to exert protective effects by reason of the association of the β glucan with the starch granule, the intimacy of association potentially provides a protective effect to the starch to thereby provide for a resistance that might be characterised as an RS1 form, being somewhat inaccessible to digestion. Similarly the presence of starch-lipid association as measured by V-complex crystallinity is also likely to contribute to the level of resistant starch. In this case the resistance is likely to arise because of the physically inaccessible of the starch by virtue of the presence of the lipid and accordingly this might be regarded as an RS1 starch. It is known that retrograded starch that takes up the V-complex configuration is highly resistant to digestion and accordingly it is anticipated that amylopectin that forms part of the V-complex crystalline structure will also be resistant to digestion. The starch of the exemplified barley plant may be resistant to digestion by reason of the structure of the starch granule and accordingly may have RS2 starch. Each of these characteristics might be present separately or as two or more of these characteristics in combination.

[0067] The elevated dietary fibre may at least in part take the form of resistant starch which may be characterised by a high amylose content of the starch granules as referred to above.

[0068] The relative amylose content might be greater than 60% and more preferably greater than 70%. It may be desired to have even higher levels and thus it has been possible to achieve even higher levels in other plants by breeding with single mutation such levels approach 90%. Thus the invention might encompass amylose levels of greater than 80% or greater than 90%.

[0069] It might be desired that the barley plant additionally expresses an altered level of activity of one or more amylose synthesis enzymes or other enzymes to further enhance the relative level of amylose. Thus the barley plant may carry another mutation that further decreases or alters amylopectin biosynthesis, or a mutation or genetic background that increases amylose biosynthesis. For example the barley plant may exhibit an amylose extender genotype, such as a barley plant carrying the amol mutation. An example of such a plant is the variety known as AC38 (also known as High Amylose Glacier).

[0070] It will be understood that the relative level of amylose referred to is in relation to total starch content, and thus the remainder of the starch might be predominantly of an intermediate type of starch or it might be predominantly amylopectin or a mixture of both. In the barley analysed the elevated level of amylose results from decreased amylopectin levels, and accordingly the relative level of amylose does not result from an increased synthesis of amylose.

[0071] It is known that β glucan has the effect of slowing digestion in the small intestine simply by its presence when together with another food component. Similarly it is known that resistant molecules that have close juxtaposition with starch granules help to mask the starch and contribute to its resistance by making it physically inaccessible. Elevated levels of amylose and other forms of starch as may arise from association with lipid will be further enhanced therefore by the presence and physical juxtaposition to the starch granules. Thus there is provided a significant enhancement of the effects of the resistant starch, as well as a provision of other beneficial effects arising from high β glucan levels.

[0072] Additionally it is known that there is a dose response in terms of the beneficial effects of resistant starch and β glucan. It is proposed therefore that the increased level of β glucan together with the increased levels of resistant starch will provide enhanced health benefits.

[0073] The combination of the levels of β glucan and resistant starch of at least preferred forms of this invention have not been found before and certainly not from one source without a degree of modification or purification and thus forms of the present invention provide for a single practical source of these benefits.

[0074] Another preferred aspect of the starch is that despite the high relative amylose content it also has a low gelatinisation temperature as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. This is in contrast with the general finding that high amylose starches tend to have a raised gelatinisation temperature which introduces restrictions on the manner in which high amylose starches can be utilised. On the data shown for the exemplified barley this reduced gelatinisation temperature is not just reduced when compared to starch produced by lines with somewhat elevated amylose content but also when compared with starch produced from barley with starch having normal levels of amylose. Thus whilst a preferred aspect of the invention contemplates reduced gelatinisation temperatures relative to corresponding high amylose starch it may also contemplate a gelatinisation temperature reduced relative to that of starch with normal amylose levels. For high amylose starches aspects of processing requiring higher temperatures and therefore inherently require a higher energy input which is expensive and can destroy the functionality of other food components. Similarly from the point of view of the ultimate consumer, high amylose starch foods may be less convenient because of a higher temperature or longer time required for preparation. Thus, for example, in this preferred form of the invention it is now possible to provide for a product such as a noodle product requiring the addition of boiling or heated water to a vessel such as a cup and not requiring heating for an extended period of time and at the same time providing for delivery of resistant starches and other constituents of nutritional value to the large bowel.

[0075] A major effect of the low gelatinisation temperatures of these starches is the lower temperature requirements and hence comminution energy requirement of the food. A corollary is also that where, as typically might be the case in certain food processing, mixing occurs at room temperature and then the mixture is heated, the lower gelatinisation temperature also reduces the time required to achieve gelatinisation. Additionally at a range of temperatures below the temperature for full gelatinisation of normal starch, there will be more complete gelatinisation of the starch of the present invention than normal starch.

[0076] One measure of the gelatinisation capacity is reflected in the thermal properties as measured by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry). The onset of the first peak (gelatinisation peak) of DSC may be at less than 53° C., more preferably at less than 50° C. and most preferably at less than about 47° C. The onset of the first peak may be regarded as the onset of gelatinisation. The starch produced from the barley grain may have a first peak at less than about 60° C., more preferably at less than 55° C. and most preferably at-less than 52° C. The ΔH (enthalpy) of the first peak may be less than about 3.5, more preferably less than about 1.0 and most preferably less than about 0.5.

[0077] Another finding of the gelatinsation of flours containing the starches of this invention is that they exhibit a reduced swelling. Swelling volume is typically measured by mixing either a starch or flour with excess water and heating to elevated temperatures, typically greater than 90° C. The sample is then collected by centrifugation and the swelling volume is expressed as the mass of the sedimented material divided by the dry weight of the sample. The swelling volumes of flour from starches of waxy and normal barleys are found to be greater than about 5.5. The swelling volumes of flour made from the grain that is a high amylose grain, (AC38) is about 3.75. Whereas the grains of the mutants and crosses examined are less than 3.2, preferably less than 3.0, but generally higher than about 2.

[0078] This low swelling gelatinisation characteristic is particularly useful where it is desired to increase the starch content of a food preparation, in particular a hydrated food preparation. In the present instance it might be desired to increase the dietary fibre content of a sol or other liquid preparation where there would otherwise be a restriction on delivery of the food preparation.

[0079] This characteristic in combination with the reduced gelatinisation temperature exhibited by the present starch provides a prospect of significantly enhancing the nutritional benefits of foods where there is a requirement of rapid preparation, such as instant soups and instant noodles.

[0080] It is postulated gelatinisation temperature effects are the result of an altered amylopectin structure in the endosperm of its grain, and one measurement of this structure is the distribution of chain lengths (degrees of polymerisation) of the starch molecules following debranching by isoamylase. An analysis of the chain length of the amylopectin content of the starch of the exemplified SSII mutants showed that when debranched they have a distribution of chain length in the range from 5 to 60 that is shorter than the distribution of starch yielded by non-mutant lines upon debranching. Starch with shorter chain lengths will also have a commensurate increase in frequency of branching. Thus the starch may also have a distribution of shorter amylopectin chain lengths. The proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues may be greater than 25%, more preferably greater than 30% and most preferably greater than 35%. The proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues may be less than 65%, more preferably less than 60% and most preferably less than about 55%. The proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues may be less than about 10%, more preferably less than about 8% but also preferably greater than about 5% and more preferably greater than about 6%. Rather than taken individually combination of proportions of the three chain length ranges might be taken as an indicator that a starch is of a type that accords with the present invention.

[0081] The reduction in chain length distribution is likely to contribute to lower gelatinsation temperatures. Reduced chain length is also thought to enhance the organoleptic properties of the starch, in particular mouthfeel, thus perhaps contributing to a smooth product. Additionally it has been postulated that reduced amylopectin chain length might decrease the extent of amylopectin degradation, which has an impact on food quality, for example it is thought to be important in bread staling.

[0082] The starch structure in the exemplified starch is additionally shown to differ in that the degree of crystallinity is reduced compared to normal starch isolated from barley. When combined with a reduced amylopectin chain length distribution, reduced granular crystallinity may indicate that gelatinsation temperature will be lower. The reduced crystallinity of a starch is also thought to be associated with enhance organoleptic properties and as with shorter amylopectin chain length contributes to a smoother mouth feel. Thus the starch may additionally exhibit reduced crystallinity resulting from reduced levels of activity of one or more amylopectin synthesis enzymes. The proportion of starch exhibiting crystallinity may be less than about 20% and preferably less than about 15%.

[0083] A further measure of the properties of the present starch is by measuring viscosity. It is found using a Rapid Visco Analyser that the peak viscosity of the starch of this invention is significantly different to that of normal and waxy starches and high amylose starches obtained from barley. These measurements were made on wholemeal however the properties of the starch will predominate in these measurements. The normal and waxy starches have a peak viscosity of between about 900 and about 500 RVA units, known high amylose starch has a peak viscosity of greater than 200, whereas barley plants according to the present invention have a peak viscosity of less than 100 with a majority being less than about 50 in some plants as low as about 10 RVA units. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the parameters cited empirical units and the results cited are intended to indicate the relative performance of these starches in RVA instruments or similar instruments such as the amylograph.

[0084] In addition to reduced crystallinity referred to above the present starch may be characterised by the presence of the V-complex form of starch. It is thought by the inventors that this is the first time that this form of starch has been exhibited in appreciable amounts in starch granules of a grain. This form of starch is usually associated with retrograded starch, in particular where there has been contact with lipids. In the case of the present invention it is postulated that the structure of the starch permits the formation of an intimate relationship between plant lipids and starch which results in the V-complex structure. It is thought that this form of starch may have health benefits because it has reduced digestibility and therefore may contribute to resistant starch.

[0085] Other forms of structure can also result from lipid-starch interaction and include non crystalline lipid-starch complexes. Thus the invention might also be said to reside in a barley plant exhibiting appreciable amounts of starch-lipid complexes in the starch content of the endosperm of its grain resulting from reduced levels of activity of one or more amylopectin synthesis enzymes. Starches that contain starch lipid complexes, including those that exhibit V-complex structure, are also usually resistant to digestion and thus contribute to the dietary fibre levels. Preferably the proportion of crystalline starch exhibiting a form of crystallinity characteristic of a starch-lipid complex is greater than about 50% and more preferably greater than about 80%.

[0086] The starch additional to the presence of the V-complex form of starch may also exhibit no appreciable amounts of A complex forms of starch. Absence of A-complex might be taken as indicator of the presence of a starch of this invention.

[0087] It is also found that the pasting temperature of strchs and product made from the grain of thisinvention are considerably elevated. The pasting temperatures in known starches is less than 70° C., and this is for both normal and high amylose starches. The starches of the present invention however preferably exhibit pasting temperatures of higher than about 75° C. or more preferably higher than about 80° C. It will be noted that these are empirical measures and might be taken as relative to those measurement of the other starches.

[0088] The starch of the exemplified barley plant is found to have significant amounts of dietary fibre and resistant starch, presumably this increase is at least in part as a result of the high relative level of amylose, however there may also be a contribution of dietary fibre by reason of starch/lipid complexes, including V-complex, or because of the intimate associate of amylose or amylopectin with β glucan. Similarly simply the elevated level of β glucan may also make a significant contribution to the elevation of dietary fibre.

[0089] The elevated relative amylose levels in the endosperm of the exemplified barley plant in all likelihood results from altered amylopectin production as a result of a reduction in the level of activity of the SSII enzyme.

[0090] Mutations in the gene encoding this enzyme might be expected to exhibit increased amylose content and/or a decrease in the level of amylopectin. Where amylopectin synthesis alone is decreased, starch exhibits an increased relative level of amylose.

[0091] Reduced activity of the amylopectin synthesis enzyme may be achieved by the appropriate mutations within a respective gene or regulatory sequences of the gene. The extent to which the gene is inhibited will to some degree determine the characteristics of the starch made. The exemplified mutations of this invention being SSII mutations in barley are truncation mutants and these are known to have a significant impact on the nature of the starch, however an altered amylopectin structure will also result from a leaky mutant that sufficiently reduces amylopectin synthesis enzyme activity to provide the characteristic of interest in the starch or grain of barley. Other chromosomal rearrangements may also be effective and these might include deletions, inversions, duplication or point mutations.

[0092] Such mutations can be introduced into desirable genetic backgrounds by either mutagenizing the varieties of interest, but more reliably by crossing the mutant with a plant of the desired genetic background and performing a suitable number of backcrosses to cross out the originally undesired parent background. Isolation of mutations might be achieved by screening mutagenised plants.

[0093] A molecular biological approach might be taken as an alternative to conventional methods. The SSII sequence is presented in this specification. Vectors carrying the desired mutations and a selectable marker may be introduced into tissue cultured plants, or suitable plant systems such as protoplasts. Plants where the mutation has been integrated into a chromosome to replace an existing wild type allele can be screened by, for example, using a suitable nucleic acid probe specific for the mutation and phenotypic observation. Methods for transformation of monocotyledonous plants such as barley and for regeneration of plants from protoplasts or immature plant embryos are well known in the art, see for example, Canadian Patent Application 2092588 by Nehra, Australian Patent Application No 61781/94 by National Research Council of Canada, Australian Patent No 667939 by Japan Tobacco Inc., International Patent Application PCT/US97/10621 by Monsanto Company, U.S. Pat. No. 5,589,617, and other methods are set out in Patent specification WO99/14314.

[0094] Other known approaches to altering the activity of the amylopectin synthesis enzyme, other than the use of mutations may also be adopted. Thus, for example, this could be by expression of suitable antisense molecules that interfere with the transcription or processing of the gene or genes encoding the amylopectin synthesis enzyme. These might be based on the DNA sequence elucidated herein for the barley SSII gene. These antisense sequences can be for the structural genes or for sequences that effect control over the gene expression or splicing event. These sequences have been referred to above. Methods of devising antisense sequences are well known in the art and examples of these are can be found in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,131, European patent specification 0467349 AI, European patent specification 0223399 AI and European patent specification 0240208, which are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they provide methods for carrying out antisense techniques. Methods of introducing and maintaining such sequences in plants are also published and known.

[0095] A variation of the antisense technique is to utilise ribozymes. Ribozymes are RNA molecules with enzymic function that can cleave other RNA molecules at specific sites defined by an antisense sequence. The cleavage of the RNA block the expression of the target gene. Reference is made to European patent specification 0321201 and specification WO 97/45545.

[0096] Another molecular biological approach that might also be used is that of co-suppression. The mechanism of co-suppression is not well understood, but it involves putting an extra copy of a gene into a plant in the normal orientation. In some instances the additional copy of the gene interferes with the expression of the target plant gene. Reference is made to Patent specification WO 97/20936 and European patent specification 0465572 for methods of implementing co-suppression approaches.

[0097] A further method that might be employed using the DNA sequences is duplex or double stranded RNA mediated gene suppression. In this method a DNA is used that directs the synthesis of a double stranded RNA product. The presence of the double stranded molecule triggers a response from the plant defence system that destroys both the double stranded RNA and also the RNA coming from the target plant gene, efficiently reducing or eliminating the activity of the target gene. Reference is made to Australian Patent specification 99/292514-A and Patent specification WO 99/53050 for methods of implementing this technique.

[0098] It will be understood that the invention may arise as a result of reducing the levels of activity of two or more of the above genes using a molecular biological approach.

[0099] One important product that might be envisaged in particular as a result of the high amylose and high β glucan content is a low calorific product with a reduced glycaemic index. A low calorific product might be based on inclusion of flour produced from milled grain. It might be desired, however, to first pearl the grain removing perhaps 10% or 20% by weight of the grain, thereby removing the aleurone layer and at the greater reduction removing also the germ. The effect of the pearling step is to reduce the lipid content and therefore reducing the calorific value of the food. Such foods will have the effect of being filling, enhancing bowel health, reducing the post prandial serum glucose and lipid concentration as well as providing for a low calorific food product. Use of the pearled product would result in a reduction in nutritional benefits provided by the aleurone layer and the germ. The flour produced from the pearled product is likely to have an enhanced appearance because a product made in that way tends to be whiter.

[0100] Aspects of this invention also arise from the combination of aleurone layer and germ in combination with high levels of dietary fibre. Specifically this arises from the somewhat higher relative levels of aleurone or germ present in the exemplified grain. Firstly, barley has a significantly higher aleurone layer than other commercial grains, being a result of having a three cell aleurone layer. Secondly, the exemplified barley grain is also shrunken which means that the endosperm is present in reduced amounts, a corollary of which is that the aleurone layer and the germ are present in elevated relative amounts. Thus the barley has a relatively high level of certain beneficial elements or vitamins in combination in a resistant starch delivery system, such elements include divalent cations such as bioavailable Ca⁺⁺ and vitamins such as folate or antioxidants such as tocopherols and tocotrienols. Thus calcium is established in the provision of material for growth and deposition of bone and other calcified tissue and in lowering the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Folic acid is found to be protective against neural tube defects when consumed periconceptually and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease thereby enhancing the effects of the combination of resistant starch and β-glucan. Folic acid also is thought to have an effect of lowering the risk of certain cancers. Tocopherol and tocotrienols carry the benefits of antioxidants and are believed to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease, and also have the effect of reducing the undesirable effects of oxidation of components of a food such as fatty acids which can result in rancidity. When these components of this preferred form of barley grain or products made therefrom constitute a convenient packaging with the one grain. One specific form of milled product might be one where the aleurone layer is included in the milled product. Particular milling process might be undertaken to enhance the amount of aleurone layer in the milled product. Such a method is referred to in Fenech et al., ((1999) J Nutr 129:1114-1119). Thus any product derived from grain milled or otherwise processed to include aleurone layer and germ will have the additional nutritional benefits, without the requirement of adding these elements from separate sources.

[0101] It will be understood that the barley plant of the present invention is preferably one having grain that is useful for food production and in particular for commercial food production. Such a production might include making of flour or other product that might be an ingredient in commercial food production. A lower level of usefulness might be a starch content greater than about 12% or perhaps greater than about 15%. Or similarly this might include the capacity to mill the grain; thus whilst pearled barley may be produced from most forms of grain certain configurations of grain are particularly resistant to milling. Another characteristic that might have an impact on a variety producing a commercially useable grain is discolouration of the product produced. Thus where the husk or other portion of the grain exhibits significant colouration, for example purple, this will come through with the product and limits its commercial applications to niche applications such as being a component of a bread containing coloured whole or kibbled grains. It is generally also more convenient that the barley plants are naked, because the presence of husks on barley grains introduces greater difficulty in processing the grain. Another aspect that might make a barley plant of higher value is on the basis of starch extraction from the grain, the higher extraction rates being more useful. Grain shape is also another feature the can impact on the commercial usefulness of a plant, thus grain shape can have an impact on the ease or otherwise with which the grain can be milled, thus for example the barley grain of MK6827 plant has an unusually very elongated grain morphology which makes it difficult to mill and process. A convenient measure of this elongate shape and useability is the ratio of two morphological characteristics length of the grain to the thickness of the grain (L/T ratio). This ratio is often dictated by the nature of the starch. It has been found by the inventors that MK6827 has a L/T ratio of greater than 6. Barley plants thus screened carrying the mutant SSII gene have an L/T ratio ranging from about 4 to about 5, although it is anticipated that this might extend over an even greater range and still be useful, perhaps being less than about 5.8 or at least 5.5.

[0102] The desired genetic background will include considerations of commercial yield and other characteristics. Such characteristics might include whether it is desired to have a winter or spring type of barley, agronomic performance, disease resistance and abiotic stress resistance. In Australia one might want to cross into barley cultivars such as Sloop, Schooner, Chebec, Franklin, Arapiles, Tantangara, Galleon, Gairdner or Picola. The examples provided are specific for an Australian production region, and other varieties will be suited for other growing regions.

[0103] A fuller grain may be desirable in terms of achieving greater yields and certain benefits of the invention might be achieved, such as the production of starch with high levels of amylose, or in the alternative starch with altered chain length distributions. Other aspects of the invention may, however, be better achieved by a grain that is less filled. Thus the proportion of aleurone layer or germ to starch may be higher in less filled grain, thereby providing for a barley flour or other product that is higher in the beneficial constituents of the aleurone layer. The high aleurone layer product might thus be higher in certain vitamins such as folate, or it might be higher in certain minerals such as calcium, and that combined with higher resistant starch levels and/or higher β glucan levels might provide synergistic effects such as providing for enhance uptake of minerals in the large bowel.

[0104] In order to maximise the amount of amylose it may be desirable for the barley plant to also have other phenotypic characteristics in addition to a reduced activity of one or more amylopectin synthesising enzymes. The genetic background might therefore include additionally an high amylose phenotype for example the amol mutation in AC38 (causal gene unknown) and the waxy mutation (found for example in the Waxiro variety). Additionally it might be desired to make double mutations in other barley mutants available with shrunken endosperms where the causal gene is not known.

[0105] In a further aspect the invention could be said to reside in the grain produced from a barley plant as referred to in this specification.

[0106] It will also be understood that the invention encompasses a processed grain including a milled, ground, kibbled, pearled or rolled grain or product obtained from the processed or whole grain of the barley plant referred to above, including flour. These products may be then used in various food products, for example farinaceous product such as breads, cakes biscuits and the like, or food additives, such as thickeners or to make malted or other barley drinks, noodles and quick soups.

[0107] Alternatively the invention encompasses starch isolated from the grain of the barley plant referred to above. Starch might be isolated by known techniques.

[0108] It will be understood that one benefit of the present invention is that it provides for one or more products that are of particular nutritional benefit, and moreover it does so without the need to modify the starch or other constituents of the barley grain.

[0109] However it may be desired to make modifications to the starch, β glucan or other constituent of the grain, and the invention encompasses such a modified constituent.

[0110] The method of modification are those known, and include the extraction of the starch or β glucan or other constituent by conventional methods and modification of the starches to for the desired resistant form.

[0111] Thus the starch or β glucan may be modified either singly of multiply though the use of a treatment selected from group including but not limited to, heat and/or moisture, physically (for example ball milling), enzymatically (using for example α or β amylase, pullalanase or the like), chemical hydrolysis (wet or dry using liquid or gaseous reagents), oxidation, cross bonding with difunctional reagents (for example sodium trimetaphosphate, phosphorous oxychloride), or carboxymethylation.

[0112] The dietary fibre content of the exemplified barley grain does not result solely from the increased relative endospermal amylose content. One primary reason is that β-glucan is present at elevated levels and contributes significantly to the dietary fibre level. There are also likely to be protective effects by reason of the association of the β glucan with the starch granule, the intimacy of association potentially provides a protective effect to the starch to thereby provide for a resistance that might be characterised as an RS1 form, being somewhat inaccessible to digestion. Similarly the presence of starch-lipid association as measured by V-complex crystallinity is also likely to contribute to the level of resistant carbohydrate. In this case the resistance is likely to arise by reason of physical inaccessibility by reason of the presence of the lipid and accordingly this might be regarded as an RS1 starch. Thus it is known that retrograded starch that takes up the V-complex configuration is highly resistant to digestion and accordingly it is anticipated that amylopectin that forms part of the starch granule having the V-complex crystalline structure will have enhanced resistance to digestion. Thirdly the starch of the exemplified barley plant may be resistant to digestion by reason of the structure of the starch granule and accordingly may have RS2 starch.

[0113] It will be understood that whilst various indications have been given as to aspects of the present invention, the invention may reside in combinations of two or more aspects of the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

[0114] Background

[0115] The synthesis of starch in the endosperm of higher plants is carried out by a suite of enzymes that catalyse four key steps. Firstly, ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase activates the monomer precursor of starch through the synthesis of ADPglucose from G-1-P and ATP. Secondly, the activated glucosyl donor, ADPglucose, is transferred to the non-reducing end of a pre-existing α1-4 linkage by starch synthases. Thirdly, starch branching enzymes introduce branch points through the cleavage of a region of α1,4 linked glucan followed by transfer of the cleaved chain to an acceptor chain, forming a new α1,6 linkage. Finally, genetic studies demonstrate that starch debranching enzymes are essential for the synthesis of normal quantities of starch in higher plants, however, the mechanism through which debranching enzymes act is unresolved (Myers et al., 2000).

[0116] While it is clear that at least these four activities are required for normal starch granule synthesis in higher plants, multiple isoforms of each of the four activities are found in the endosperm of higher plants and specific roles have been proposed for individual isoforms on the basis of mutational analysis (Wang et al, 1998, Buleon et al., 1998) or through the modification of gene expression levels using transgenic approaches (Abel et al., 1996, Jobling et al., 1999, Scwall et al., 2000). However, the precise contributions of each isoform of each activity to starch biosynthesis are still not known, and it is not known whether these contributions differ markedly between species. In the cereal endosperm, two isoforms of ADPglucose pyrophosphorylase are present, one form within the amyloplast, and one form in the cytoplasm (Denyer et al., 1996, Thorbjornsen et al., 1996). Each form is composed of two subunit types. The shrunken (sh2) and brittle (bt2) mutants in maize represent lesions in large and small subunits respectively (Girouz and Hannah, 1994). Four classes of starch synthase are found in the cereal endosperm, an isoform exclusively localised within the starch granule, granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS), two forms that are partitioned between the granule and the soluble fraction (SSI, Li et al., 1999a, SSII, Li et al., 1999b) and a fourth form that is entirely located in the soluble fraction, SSIII (Cao et al, 2000, Li et al., 1999b, Li et al, 2000). GBSS has been shown to be essential for amylose synthesis (Shure et al., 1983), and mutations in SSII and SSIII have been shown to alter amylopectin structure (Gao et al, 1998, Craig et al., 1998). No mutations defining a role for SSI activity have been described.

[0117] Three forms of branching enzyme are expressed in the cereal endosperm, branching enzyme I (BEI), branching enzyme IIa (BEIIa) and branching enzyme IIb (BEIIb) (Hedman and Boyer, 1982, Boyer and Preiss, 1978, Mizuno et al., 1992, Sun et al., 1997). In maize and rice, high amylose phenotypes have been shown to result from lesions in the BEIIb gene (Boyer and Preiss. 1981, Mizuno et al., 1993). In these mutants, amylose content is significantly elevated, and the branch frequency of the residual amylopectin is reduced. In addition, there is a significant pool of material that is defined as “intermediate” between amylose and amylopectin (Boyer et al., 1980, Takeda, et al., 1993). Mutations defining the roles of BEIIa and BEI have yet to be described, although in potato down regulation of BEI alone causes minimal affects on starch structure (Filpse et al., 1996). However, in potato the combination of down regulation of BEII and BEI provides a much higher amylose content than the down-regulation of BEII alone (Schwall et al., 2000). Two types of debranching enzymes are present in higher plants and are defined on the basis of their substrate specificities, isoamylase type debranching enzymes, and pullulanase type debranching enzymes (Myers et al., 2000). Sugary-1 mutations in maize and rice are associated with deficiency of both debranching enzymes (James et al., 1995, Kubo et al., 1999) however the causal mutation maps to the same location as the isoamylase-type debranching enzyme gene. In the Chlamydomonas sta-7 mutant (Mouille et al., 1996), the analog of the maize sugary-1 mutation, isoamylase activity alone is down regulated.

[0118] Known variation in barley starch structure is limited relative to the variation available in maize. The most highly characterised mutations are waxy and a high amylose mutation identified as AC38. Double mutants have also been constructed and analysed (Schondelmaier et al., 1992, Fujita et al, 1999). A broad range of characteristics of the variation in starch structure and properties (Czuchajowska et al., 1992; Schondelmaier et al., 1992; Vasanthan and Bhatty, 1995; Morrison et al., 1984; Gerring and DeHaas, 1974; Bankes et al., 1971; Persson and Christerson, 1997; Vasanthan and Bhatty, 1998; Czuchajowska et al., 1998; Song and Jane, 2000; Andreev et al., 1999; Yoshimoto et al., 2000), and grain properties (Swantson 1992, Ahokas 1979; Oscarsson et al, 1997; Oscarsson et al., 1998; Andersson et al., 1999; Elfverson et al., 1999; Bhatty 1999; Zheng et al., 2000; Izydorczyk et al., 2000; Andersson et al., 2000), have been reported and the utility of the mutants in animal feeding trials (Xue et al., 1996; Newman et al., 1978; Calvert et al., 1976; Wilson et al., 1975; Sundberg et al., 1998; Bergh et al., 1999), human foods (Swanston et al., 1995; Fastnaught et al., 1996; Persson et al., 1996; Pomeranz et al., 1972) and human nutrition investigated (Pomeranz 1992; Granfeldt et al., 1994; Oscarsson et al., 1996; Akerberg et al., 1998.)

[0119] In the present example, we have isolated a novel class of high amylose mutant from barley. The mutant lines contain amylose contents (65-70%) above those known from the well characterised High Amylose Glacier (AC38) mutant (45-48%)(Walker et al., 1968), and have starch with an amylopectin structure that has an increase in starch branch frequency, this is in contrast to the reduced branch frequency associated with the amylose extender mutant in maize (Takeda, et al., 1993).

[0120] The grain and starch characteristics of the present mutant have been investigated in detail and the causal mutation mapped. The mutations isolated are allelic to the previous known shrunken mutant in barley, sex6, and the causal mutation has been shown to be located within the starch synthase II gene. The effects of this mutation shed new light on the process of starch biosynthesis and illustrate how mutations in specific genes can have differing impacts on starch structure from one species to another.

[0121] Materials and Methods

[0122] Mutagenesis and Screening

[0123] The hull-less barley variety “Himalaya” was mutagenised using sodium azide according to Zwar and Chandler (1995). Selection of variants with altered grain morphology was carried out according to Green et al., (1997). A total of 75 lines with shrunken endosperm phenotypes were identified and maintained according to Green et al., (1997).

[0124] Starch Isolation

[0125] Starch was isolated from barley grain using the method of Schulman et al. (1991).

[0126] Methods for Amylose Determination

[0127] Determinations of the amylose/amylopectin ratio by an HPLC method for separating debranched starches, and an iodine binding method, were carried out as described by Batey and Curtin, (1996). Analysis of the amylose/amylopectin ratio by the analysis on non-debranched starches was carried out according to Case et al., (1998).

[0128] Starch Content Measurement

[0129] Starch was determined using the total starch analysis kit supplied by Megazyme (Bray, Co Wicklow, Republic of Ireland).

[0130] Protein Content

[0131] Nitrogen was determined by the Kjeldahl method, and protein contents were calculated using a factor of 5.7.

[0132] β-Glucan Levels

[0133] β-Glucan was determined using the kit supplied by Megazyme (Bray, Co Wicklow, Republic of Ireland).

[0134] Starch Chain Length Distribution

[0135] Starches were debranched and chain length distributions analysed using flurophore assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) using a capillary electrophoresis according to Morell et al (1998).

[0136] DSC

[0137] Gelatinisation was measured in a Pyris 1 differential scanning calorimeter (Perkin Elmer, Norwalk Conn., USA). Starch was mixed with water in the ratio of 2 parts water: 1 part starch and this mixture (40-50 mg, accurately weighed) was placed in a stainless steel pan and sealed. The sample was scanned at 10° C. per minute from 20° C. to 140° C. with an empty stainless steel pan as a reference. Gelatinisation temperatures and enthalpy were determined using the Pyris software.

[0138] RVA Analysis

[0139] Viscosity was measured on a Rapid-Visco-Analyser (RVA, Newport Scientific Pty Ltd, Warriewood, Sydney) using conditions as a reported by Batey et al., 1997 for wholemeal flours. In order to inhibit α-amylases, silver nitrate was included in all assays at a concentration of 12 mM. The parameters measured were peak viscosity (the maximum hot paste viscosity), holding strength, final viscosity and pasting temperature. In addition, breakdown (peak viscosity minus holding strength) and setback (final viscosity minus holding strength) were calculated.

[0140] Flour Swelling

[0141] Flour swelling volume was determined according to the method of Konik-Rose et al (2001).

[0142] X-Ray Data

[0143] X-ray diffraction data was collected using standard techniques (Buleon et al., 1998).

[0144] Scanning Electron Microscopy

[0145] Scanning electron microscopy was carried out on a Joel JSM 35C instrument. Purified starches were sputter coated with gold and scanned at 15 kV at room temperature.

[0146] Doubled Haploid Production

[0147] Doubled haploids were produced from F1 plants derived from crosses between 292 and Hordeum vulgare cv Tantangara, and between 342 and H. vulgare cv Tantangara by Dr P. Davies, Waite Institute, Adelaide, Australia.

[0148] Linkage Analysis

[0149] Genetic linkage data was calculated using MapManager.

[0150] Construction of Barley cDNA Library

[0151] Five mgs of polyA+ mRNA from 10, 12 and 15 days post-anthesis of barley endosperm tissues was used for cDNA synthesis according to the protocols (Life Technology). The NotI-(dT)18 primer (Pharmacia Biotech) was used for the first stand of cDNA synthesis. The double strand cDNAs were ligated with a SalI-XhoI adapter (Stratagene) and cloned to the SalI-NotI arms of ZipLox (Life Technology) after digestion of cDNAs with NotI followed by size fractionation (SizeSep 400 spun Column of Pharmacia Biotech). The ligated cDNAs were packaged with Gigapack III Gold packaging extract (Stratagene). Titre of the library was 2×10⁶ pfu tested with Y1090(ZL) strain of E.coli.

[0152] Cloning of Specific cDNA Regions of Barley Starch Synthase II Using PCR

[0153] The cDNA clone, wSSIIp1, was used for the screening of a cDNA library of barley. The cDNA clone, wSSIIp1 was generated by PCR using the primers ssIIa (TGTTGAGGTTCC ATGGCACGTTC SEQ. ID. NO 9) and ssIIb (AGTCGTTCTGCCGTATGATGTCG SEQ. ID. NO 10), amplifying the region between nucleotide positions 1,435 and 1,835 of wSSIIA (GenBank accession no: AF155217).

[0154] The amplification was performed using a FTS-1 thermal sequencer (Corbett, Australia) for 1 cycle of 95° C. for 2 minutes; 35 cycles of 95° C. for 30 seconds, 60° C. for 1 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes and 1 cycle of 25° C. for 1 minute. The fragment wSSIIp1 was cloned into a pGEM-T vector (Promega)

[0155] Screening of Barley cDNA Library

[0156] A cDNA library, constructed from RNA from the endosperm of barley cv Himalaya, was screened with a 347-bp cDNA fragment, wSSIIp1 at the hybridisation conditions as previously described (Rahman et al., 1998). Hybridisation was carried out in 50% formamide, 6×SSPE, 0.5% SDS, 5× Denhardt's and 1.7 μg/mL salmon sperm DNA at 42° C. for 16 h, then washed 3× with 2×SSC containing 0.1% SDS at 65° C. for 1 h per wash.

[0157] Screening of a Barley Genomic Library.

[0158] A barley (barley cv Morex) genomic library was constructed and screened essentially as described in Gubler et al (2000) using the barley SSII cDNA as a probe.

[0159] Sequencing of Genomic Clones

[0160] The Morex SSII gene was subcloned into plasmid vectors and sequenced. The292 and MK6827 genes were sequenced by PCR amplification of overlapping regions of the gene using primers designed on the basis of the Morex sequence. PCR fragments were either sequenced directly or subcloned and sequenced from plasmids

[0161] Identification of Expressed Regions

[0162] Regions of the 292 and MK6827 genomic sequences predicted to be present in cDNAs were defined by reference to the Himalaya cDNA sequence and Morex genomic sequence.

[0163] PCR Analysis of the G to A Mutation in the SSII Gene

[0164] PCR primers were designed that amplify the region containing the G to A transition mutation identified in 292. The primer sequences are: ZLSS2P4 (CCTGGAACACTTCAGACTGTACG SEQ. ID. NO 11) and ZLBSSII5 (CTTCAGGGAGAAGTTGGTGTAGC SEQ ID NO 12). The amplification was performed using a FTS-1 thermal sequencer (Corbett, Australia) for 1 cycle of 95° C. for 2 minutes; 35 cycles of 95° C. for 30 seconds, 60° C. for 1 minutes, 72° C. for 2 minutes and 1 cycle of 25° C. for 1 minute.

[0165] SDS-PAGE Analysis of Barley Endosperm Proteins

[0166] Starch was prepared from the developing and mature endosperm of barley and wheat and the surface proteins were removed by proteinase K as described (Rahman et al,1995). Starch granule proteins were extarcted from 20 mg of starch dry wt., using 0.5 ml of an extraction buffer containing 50 mM Tris pH 6.8, 10% SDS and 10% 2-mercaptoethanol. After gelatinization by boiling for 10 min, and collection of the starch by centrifugation, 15 microliters of the supernatant was loaded on each lane.

[0167] Doubled Haploid Production

[0168] Doubled haploids were produced from F1 plants derived from crosses between 292 and Hordeum vulgare cv Tantangara, and between 342 and H. vulgare cv Tantangara by Dr P. Davies, Waite Institute, Adelaide, Australia.

[0169] Backcrossing Strategy

[0170] Crosses were made between 292 and Hordeum vulgare cv Sloop to generate F1 seed. Plants derived from the F1 seed were selfed to generate a population of F2 seed. The plants growing from these F2 seed were tested using a PCR assay and plants homozygous for the 292 mutation were backcrossed to Sloop (BC1). The F1 plants resulting from BC1 were again tested by PCR and plants heterozygous for the 292 mutation selected, and crossed back to Sloop (BC2). The F1 plants derived from BC2 were again analysed by PCR and plants heterozygous for the 292 mutation selected. These plants were either selfed to generate a BC2F2 population, or crossed again to Sloop (BC3). The F1 plants derived from BC3 were again analysed by PCR and plants heterozygous for the 292 mutation selected. These plants were selfed to generate a BC3F2 population. Plants derived from these seed were tested by PCR and plants homozygous for the 292 mutation selected for single seed descent and seed increase.

[0171] Results

[0172] Selection of Mutants

[0173] The identification of a range of mutants in the hull-less or naked barley variety “Himalaya” induced by a sodium azide treatment has been previously reported by Zwar and Chandler (1995). A group of 75 shrunken grain mutants were identified by the inventors and the amylose content of the starch from the shrunken seed was determined by HPLC (FIG. 1). Two lines, 292 and 342, were found to have amylose contents of 71 and 62.5% respectively (Table 1). The amylose contents of 292 and 342 were substantially higher than the previously well characterised AC38 line (47% amylose, see Table 1). This study defines the genetic basis of the novel high amylose phenotype displayed by 292 and 342, and describes effects of the causal mutation on grain and starch structure and functionality.

[0174] Grain Characteristics

[0175] Grain Size and Morphology:

[0176] The effects of the mutation on grain weight and morphology are marked (Table 2). The grain weight is reduced from 51 mg for the parent line Himalaya, to 32 mg for 292 and 35 mg for 342. The mutants retain the length and width of the wild type, but in comparison are flattened (from 2.82 mm average thickness in Himalaya to 1.58 and 1.75 mm in 292 and 342 respectively) and have an essentially unfilled central region. FIG. 2 shows photographs of the mutant and wild-type grain. The dimensions of the grain were routinely measured, the length of the grain (L), the width of the grain at the widest point (W), and the thickness (T) as indicated in FIG. 2. The ratio of length (L) to thickness (T) of the grain is a useful diagnostic for the mutation, with values of >3.5 typically found for seed carrying the 292 or 342 mutations, and values <3.5 for non-mutant barleys.

[0177] Grain Composition:

[0178] The starch content of the mutant lines is reduced from 49.0% for Himalaya to 17.7 and 21.9% for 292 and 342 respectively (see Table 1). Subtraction of the starch weight from total grain weight to give a total non-starch content of the grain, showed that the loss of starch content accounted for the loss of grain weight, with non-starch weights of 26.0, 26.3 and 27.3 mg for Himalaya, 292 and 342 respectively.

[0179] The protein content of 292 and 342 is increased relative to the parent line, Himalaya (Table 1) however, this effect is due to the loss of starch from the grain and is not due to any increase in protein synthesis per caryopsis.

[0180] The β-glucan levels of the 292 and 342 mutants are also increased, and are higher than would be expected from the effect of the reduction of starch content (Table 1). In both cases, β-glucan content is increased about 20% per caryopsis, possibly representing diversion of a small proportion of incoming carbon from starch synthesis to β-glucan synthesis.

[0181] Starch Composition and Functionality

[0182] Amylose and Amylopectin Content

[0183] Amylose content was determined using two techniques, firstly, size exclusion HPLC in 90% (v/v) DMSO, and secondly, iodine blue value. The amylose contents determined by each method were similar and the HPLC data are given in Table 1.

[0184] From grain weight and amylose content data for mutant and wild type lines, calculations of the amount of amylose deposited per grain can be made. This analysis shows that there is a decrease in amylose amount per grain from 6.2 mg/caryopsis in Himalaya, to 4.0 mg/caryopsis in 292 and 4.8 mg/caryopsis in 342. In contrast, there is a dramatic reduction in amylopectin synthesis per caryopsis, from 18.7 mg in Himalaya, to 1.6 mg in 292 and 2.9 mg in 342.

[0185] Chain Length Distribution

[0186] The chain length distribution of the starch following isoamylase debranching was carried out using fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE). The chain length distribution of the 292 and 342 mutants, and Himalaya, are shown in FIG. 3a. FIG. 3b shows a difference plot in which the normalised chain length distributions for the 292 and 342 mutants are subtracted from the normalised distribution of Himalaya. The percentages of chain lengths from DP 6-11, DP 12-30 and DP 31-65 have been calculated and are presented in Table 3. There is a marked shift in the 292 and 342 mutants in chain length distribution such that there is a higher percentage of chains in the region from DP6-11 compared to DP12-30.

[0187] Differential Scanning Calorimetry

[0188] The gelatinisation temperature of the mutants was investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, and the data is shown in Table 4. Both 292 and 342 yield starches that have markedly lower gelatinisation temperatures than the Himalaya starches, with respect to onset, peak and final temperatures for the gelatinisation peak. The enthalpy for the gelatinisation peak for the 292 and 342 mutants is also dramatically reduced in comparison to the wild type. The amylose/lipid peak onset temperature is also reduced for the 292 and 342 mutants, however, the enthalpy is increased, consistent with the increased amylose content of the mutants.

[0189] Starch Viscosity by RVA

[0190] RVA analysis of barley wholemeal samples was conducted in order to examine their pasting viscosity. Previous studies have shown that analysis of wholemeal samples is strongly correlated with the analysis of isolated starches (Batey et al., 1997). The analysis showed that there are major differences between the barley genotypes studied (see Table 5 and FIG. 4). Two barley varieties containing wild type starch, Himalaya and Namoi, showed typical RVA profiles in which there was a prominent peak viscosity, followed by a decline in viscosity to a holding strength, followed by an increase in viscosity as the temperature is reduced to a final viscosity. As is generally observed for barley starches, the final viscosities for the wild type starches were equivalent to, or less than, the peak viscosities (Table 5). In AC38, a prominent peak viscosity was obtained, however, because of the elevated amylose content of this line, the final viscosity obtained was higher than the peak viscosity. However, in 292, 342 and MK6827, a very different profile was obtained. No marked initial increase in viscosity corresponding to the peak viscosity in other barley starches was obtained, and therefore no value for breakdown could be calculated. The values for peak viscosity given in Table 5 for 292, 342 and MK6927 were the viscosities registered at the time of peak viscosity for Himalaya. In 292, 342 and MK6827, viscosity increased throughout the analysis to reach a final viscosity comparable to the other wholemeal samples. When normalized on the basis of starch content, the 292 and 342 starches had very high final viscosities (see Table 5).

[0191] Swelling volume is a method of measuring the properties of flour and starch that probes the behaviour of the material on exposure to heat and excess water. Increased uptake of water is measured by weighing the sample prior to and after mixing the sample in water at defined temperatures and following collection of the gelatinized material. The analysis showed that the control samples, Himalaya and Tantangara, swell to 6 to 8 times their dry weight, in contrast, 292 and 342 swell to just 2-3 times their dry weigh (Table 9).

[0192] Crystallinity

[0193] The structure of the starches was further investigated by X-ray crystallography (see Table 6 and FIG. 5). Himalaya shows the expected pattern for a cereal starch, having predominantly “A” type crystallinity, and both AC38 and Waxiro showed very similar X-ray diffraction patterns, although the levels of crystallinity were lower for AC38 and higher for Waxiro. For the 292 and 342 mutants, the X-ray diffraction pattern shifted to a mixture of V and B pattern. In addition to the shift in diffraction pattern, the amount of crystallinity was sharply reduced in the 292 and 342 mutants, to 9 and 12% respectively. This result is consistent with the low amylopectin content of the 292 and 342 starches.

[0194] Granule Morphology

[0195] Starch granule morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (FIG. 6). The size and shape for granules from Himalaya (FIG. 6, panel A), waxy barley (Waxiro, FIG. 6 panel b), and AC38 (FIG. 6, panel c) were consistent with previously published observations of starch granules in normal barley lines. The morphology of “A” type starch granules in the mutant lines 292 (FIG. 6, panel d), 342 (FIG. 6, panel e), and MK6827 (FIG. 6, panel f), is clearly altered with the granules having a convoluted surface in comparison to the smooth lenticular shape of the normal barleys.

[0196] Dietary Fibre

[0197] Dietary fibre analysis was conducted according to the AOAC procedure and showed that there was an increase in dietary fibre in 292 and 342, and that this increase in dietary fibre was due to an increase in insoluble dietary fibre rather than soluble dietary fibre (Table 1), consistent with components of the dietary fibre being resistant starch and β-glucan. It is to be noted that this measure of dietary fibre is a chemically determined one which is quite distinct form the physiological measure relevant from a nutritional point of view.

[0198] Genetic Basis of the Mutation

[0199] Segregation Ratio

[0200] Crossing of the mutation to barley varieties not displaying the shrunken endosperm phenotype of 292 or 342 demonstrated that the mutation is a straightforward recessive mutation, displaying a 3 normal:1 shrunken ratio in the F2 seed of outcrossed populations, and 1 normal:1 shrunken ratio in the seed of a doubled haploid population developed following a single outcross (see Table 6). Normal is defined as seed with an L/T ratio of <3.5, shrunken seed as seed with an L/T ratio of >3.5.

[0201] Allelic Nature of Mutants

[0202] The 292 and 342 mutations were shown to be allelic through the analysis of progeny from crosses of 292 and 342. All F1 seed derived from reciprocal crosses showed grain weight and grain morphology phenotypes within the range of sizes and shapes observed for the parental 292 and 342 lines, and outside of the range of seed size and shape found for the parental Himalaya line. Furthermore, all F2 seed derived from 292×342 F1 plants showed the typical shrunken seed phenotype of the 292 and 342 mutants.

[0203] Analysis of the grain morphology and starch characteristics of a series of shrunken grain mutants available from the Barley Germplasm Collection (USDA-ARS, National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility, Aberdeen, Id. 83210, USA) suggested that the line MK6827 (BGS31, also referred to as GSHO 2476), carrying the sex6 mutation showed a highly similar set of starch and grain characteristics to the 292 and 342 mutations. Crosses were established between 292 and MK6827 and all F1 grain showed the typical 292 phenotype with respect to grain weight and shrunken seed phenotype. F2 seed derived from the 292×MK6827 F1 plants all showed shrunken endosperm phenotype with L/T ratios of >4. In contrast, F2 seed from a cross between 292 and the commercial barley cultivar Sloop yielded a bimodal distribution showing a 3:1 segregation ratio between shrunken and filled seed (Table 6). F1 seed generated from crosses of 292 and 5 other lines with shrunken endosperm phenotypes (BGS 380, shrunken endosperm 4, 7HL (Jarvi et al., 1975); BGS 381, shrunken endosperm 5, 7HS (Jarvi et al., 1975); BGS 382, sex1, 6HL (Eslick and Ries 1976); BGS 396, Shrunken endosperm 6, 3HL (Ramage and Eslick 1975); BGS 397, Shrunken endosperm 7, not mapped, (Ramage and Eslick 1975) all yielded grain with a filled seed morphology. On this basis, the 292, 342 and MK6827 mutations are considered to be allelic, and on the basis of previously published map locations for the sex6 locus, the 292 and 342 mutations would be predicted to map to the short arm of chromosome 7H in barley, about 4 cM from the centromere (Netsvetaev, 1990, Netsvetaev and Krestinkov, 1993, Biyashev et al., 1986, Netsvetaev, 1992).

[0204] Linkage Analysis

[0205] A doubled haploid population was generated from a cross between 292 and the commercial malting barley variety, Tantangara, which contained 90 progeny lines (Table 8).

[0206] The lines were scored for seed morphology (filled versus shrunken seed), chain length distribution by FACE (percentage of chains with DP 6 to 11), seed covering (naked or husked), and for a PCR marker (see below). This data is given in Table 8. The shrunken seed character and 292 FACE distribution co-segregated precisely in this population, as would be expected if the altered grain size and shape were a consequence of altered starch deposition. The co-segregation of characters is illustrated in FIG. 8. Panel A shows the relationship between starch chain length (illustrated by the percentage of chains between DP 6 to 11) and the length to thickness ratio. The open circles indicate lines that have the PCR marker for the 292 mutation, the crosses indicate lines that carry the wild type PCR marker. There is a clear definition between the two groups of lines. FIG. 8 Panel B shows the relationship between starch chain length and seed weight, and shows that seed weight is less diagnostic for the mutation that the length to thickness ratio.

[0207] In barley the presence or absence of the husk is controlled by the nud locus located on chromosome 7H, and as Tantangara is a husked barley and 292 is a naked type, this character could be scored in the doubled haploid progeny. Analysis of the linkage between the naked/husked character and FACE data showed that in this cross the 292 mutation was mapped within 16.3 cM of the nud locus. This location is consistent with previous mapping data for the allelic sex6 mutation (Netsvetaev, 1990, Netsvetaev and Krestinkov, 1993, Biyashev et at., 1986, Netsvetaev, 1992).

[0208] Identification of the causal gene

[0209] The nud gene has been demonstrated to be located on barley chromosome 7H (FIG. 8, Fedak et al., 1972). In wheat, three starch synthases (GBSS, SSI and SSII), and an isoamylase-type debranching enzyme (S. Rahman, personal communication) are located on the short arm of chromosome 7, the homologous chromosome (Yamamori and Endo, 1996, Li et al., 1999a, Li et al., 1999b, Li et al., 2000). The close linkage to the nud locus suggested that the most probable candidate gene was the SSII gene. The wheat SSII gene has been cloned at the cDNA level (Li et al, 1999b; Genbank Accession No. AF155217) and at the genomic level (Li et al., personal communication), and a barley cDNA has been isolated and cloned (FIG. 9). The sequencing of barley and wheat SSII genomic sequences shows that the genes have very similar exon/intron structures, however, the lengths of the intron regions differ between sequences (FIG. 10). Comparison of the Morex genomic sequence and the sequence of a cDNA from Himalaya (FIG. 9) lead to the identification of deduced cDNA sequences from Morex, 292 and MK2827.

[0210] A G to A transition mutant was found in the SSII gene from 292 at a position that corresponds to 1829 of the alignment shown in FIG. 11. This mutation introduces a stop codon into the 292 SSII open reading frame (FIG. 12). Sequence analysis of Tantangara and Himalaya showed that both wild type genes were identical in this region and both 292 and 342 contained the same G to A transition mutation. The introduced stop codon would truncate the gene product such that the entire C-terminal catalytic domain of the starch synthase II gene would not be translated, and it is therefore highly likely that all SSII activity is abolished by this mutation.

[0211] A G to A transition was also present in MK6827, at position 242 of the alignment shown in FIG. 11 and the Himalaya cDNA sequence in FIG. 9. This mutation also introduces a stop codon into the 292 SSII open reading frame (FIG. 12) and would prevent translation of over 90% of the SSII gene, abolishing SSII activity encoded by this gene.

[0212] The G to A transition mutation in 292 disrupted a restriction site (NlaIV) in the barley SSII gene. The location of the diagnostic NlaIV site is shown in FIG. 14, panels (a) and (b). FIG. 14c shows agarose gel electrophoresis of NlaIV digested products from barley showing that the diagnostic pattern for the 292 mutation is in 292 and 342 but not MK6827, Himalaya or Tantangara.

[0213] The PCR marker for the G to A transition was scored in the 90 lines of the 292× Tantanagara doubled haploid population and found to co-segregate precisely with the shrunken seed and FACE chain length distribution phenotypes, indicating that the 292 mutation is perfectly linked to this starch phenotype and that it is highly probable that this mutation is the causal mutation underlying the 292 phenotype. FIG. 14d shows the analysis of lines from the 292× Tantangara doubled haploid population.

[0214] Biochemical Evidence for Loss of SSII Activity

[0215] The composition of starch biosynthetic enzymes in the mutant and normal barley lines was investigated using a range of gel electrophoresis techniques. Analysis of the soluble fraction of the developing endosperm demonstrated that all lines contained BEI, BEIIa, BEIIb, SSI and SSIII and that the content of these isoforms of BE and SS respectively were essentially unaltered. However, analysis of the starch granule indicated that several bands were missing. Firstly, SDS-PAGE analysis (FIG. 16, panel B) showed that a band of 90 kD was not present in 292, 342 or MK6827 that was present in Himalaya, Tantangara and AC38. This band was shown by immunoblotting to contain SSII (FIG. 16, panel B) and BEIIa and BEIIb. The finding that BEIIa and BEIIb are present in the soluble fraction but not the granule indicates that there has been an alteration in the distribution of these enzymes in the 292, 342 and MK6827 mutants, rather than a mutation abolishing expression. In contrast, no evidence was found for SSII expression in either the soluble or the granule fraction (FIG. 16, panels A and B), consistent with the genetic evidence directly linking the SSII mutation to the observed phenotypes in 292, 342 and MK6827.

[0216] Breeding of Lines Carrying the 292 Mutation

[0217] Two strategies have been used to transfer the 292 mutation into alternative barley genotypes.

[0218] In the first example, doubled haploid lines were generated from a cross between 292 and Tantangara. Data for seed covering, seed weight, L:T ratio, chain length distribution and SSII DNA marker status is given in Table 8. More comprehensive analysis of the composition of these lines is given in Table 9, including RVA analysis, β-glucan content and flour swelling volume. The data shows that the lines carrying the 292 mutation have significantly different RVA parameters (as exemplified by the Peak/Final Viscosity ratio), higher β-glucan content, and altered flour swelling volumes.

[0219] In the second example, the mutation was transferred by performing two backcrosses from 292 to a cultivar with normal starch properties (cv Sloop). The F2 seed from three backcross 2 F1 plants was collected for analysis. The F2 seed were categorized into seed with an L:T ratio of >3.5 and an L:T ratio of <3.5. The distribution of seeds between these classes was consistent with expectations for a single recessive gene. Flour swelling volume data for the categories of seeds derived from each plant are shown in FIG. 10 and shows that the starch swelling trait was clearly transferred through the breeding process into lines with an average of 75% Sloop background.

[0220] Discussion

[0221] We describe the isolation of novel mutants, 292 and 342, in barley that have a shrunken endosperm phenotype. Analysis of grain composition demonstrates that the shrunken phenotype is due to a significant decrease in starch content, and analysis of starch composition shows that this decrease is manifested as a high amylose phenotype that arises because of a decrease in amylopectin synthesis.

[0222] The 292 and 342 mutants possess a unique combination of grain and starch properties, in containing both increased β-glucan levels and resistant starch. The β-glucan levels of the lines are increased approximately 15% above that expected by the effect of reduced starch content, suggesting that carbon unable to be converted to starch is diverted to β-glucan synthesis. Determinations of dietary fibre levels demonstrate that the grain from the mutants have increased levels of dietary fibre, and that this increase is due to an increase in insoluble dietary fibre.

[0223] This combination of properties indicates that these mutants may have very interesting potential as components of the human diet. First, the elevated β-glucan levels suggests that the lines may be useful in lowering cholesterol through the well established action of β-glucan in reducing cholesterol levels. Secondly, the presence of resistant starch indicates that the lines may be beneficial from a bowel health perspective through the well established ability of resistant starches to promote colonic fermentation (Topping et al., 1997, Topping 1999). Thirdly, the grain composition indicates that the lines will have low energy density and that they may be slowly digested, indicating that they may contribute to the formulation of foods with a reduced glycaemic index.

[0224] The starch properties of the exemplified lines are also unique in that they combine a high amylose starch that also has a low gelatinisation temperature. This contrasts with high amylose mutations resulting from mutations in branching enzyme IIb in which gelatinisation temperature typically increases, such as the amylose extender mutation in maize (Ng et al., 1997, Katz et al., 1993, Krueger et al., 1987, Fuwa et al., 1999). While the amylose content of 292 is comparable to amylose extender lines, the structure of the amylopectin component of the starches differs dramatically (Wang et al., 1993). In 292 and 342, the chain length distribution of amylopectin shifts towards lower degree of polymerisation, whereas in amylose extender, the chain length distribution shifts towards increased degree of polymerisation. This suggests that amylopectin, rather than amylose content, is the primary determinant of gelatinisation temperature and that this effect is mediated through the strength of the interaction between the external chains of the amylopectin molecule. Similar effects were noted for a range of starches by Jane et al., 1999.

[0225] The viscosity data from the RVA analysis indicate that the starch from the SSII mutant lines is marked different from normal barleys and AC38. The SSII mutant barleys have essentially no peak of viscosity typically seen as the temperature is ramped up to 95° C. at the beginning of an RVA temperature profile. Instead, in these mutants, the viscosity increases steadily until a final viscosity if present. These data are consistent with the low amylopectin content of the granules, the low level of amylopectin crystallinity in the granule, and the low gelatinisation temperature and enthalpy observed in the diffential scanning calorimeter. A high final viscosity is reached once the amylose has been released from the granule through heating in excess water, and stirring. These RVA characteristics are unique for a cereal starch and provide a novel source of starch for food and industrial applications where low pasting viscosity yet high final viscosity is required.

[0226] The observations made on gelatinisation temperature in the DSC are reflected in results from X-ray diffraction studies. The granules of 292 and 342 have reduced levels of crystallinity and the crystal form shifts from the A type typical of cereal starches to a mixture of V and B types. The V type is typical of amylose and reflects the amylose component of the starch complexed with fatty acids, while the B form is derived from amylopectin and presumably reflects the residual amylopectin content of the starch (Buleon et al, 1998).

[0227] Analysis of the genetic basis of the 292 and 342 mutations demonstrates that the mutations are simple recessive mutations that give typical Mendelian ratios in outcrossing experiments. Crossing studies demonstrated that 292 and 342 are allelic. Further analysis of the interaction between 292 and other shrunken endosperm mutations in crossing experiments demonstrated that the 292/342 mutations were also allelic with the Sex6 mutation in the line MK6827. This mutation has previously been mapped and shown to be located within 3 cM of the centromere on the short arm of chromosome 7H (Netsvetaev, 1990, Netsvetaev and Krestinkov, 1993, Biyashev et al., 1986, Netsvetaev, 1992).

[0228] A doubled haploid population between the husked barley Tantangara and the naked 292 mutant was established and the shrunken endosperm mutation mapped to the short arm of chromosome 7HS, to within 16 cM of the nud gene, a location consistent with the map location of the Sex6 mutation.

[0229] The localisation of the gene to the region adjacent to the centromere on the short arm of chromosome 7HS demonstrates that the causal mutation (sex6) is in a different gene to the mutation that causes the high amylose phenotype in AC38 (amol) which has been mapped to chromosome 1H (Schondelmeier et al 1992). The map location suggested that one candidate for the gene disrupted in the sex6/292 mutation was starch synthase II, known in wheat to be localised in the same region of the chromosome (Yamamori and Endo 1996, Li et al, 1999b). Sequence analysis of the 292 and 342 mutants showed that there was a G to A transition mutation in the gene which would cause truncation of the gene such that the C-terminal region containing the active site of the enzyme would not be translated, presumably leading to the synthesis of a completely inactive protein. Furthermore, the sequencing of the SSII gene from MK6827 showed a G to A transition mutation at position 242 which would also cause truncation of the gene. This result confirms the allelic nature of the 292 and MK6827 mutations.

[0230] The identification of mutations in the SSII gene lead to the development of a PCR marker diagnostic for the mutation in 292. This PCR marker was scored across the 91 progeny of the 292× Tantangara population and shown to 100% co-segregate with the shrunken endosperm phenotype and the reduced chain length distribution phenotype of starch. The discovery of allelic mutations in the SSII genes from barleys of diverse backgrounds (292 and MK6827) which give rise to similar phenotypes, and the perfect linkage of the mutation to the shrunken grain phenotype provides a high degree of certainty that the mutations present in the SSII genes of 292, 342 and MK6827 are the causal mutations leading to the shrunken endosperm character.

[0231] The phenotype observed here for the SSII mutation in barley is similar to the phenotypes of SSII mutations in other plants in some respects, however, SSII mutations do not give rise to amylose contents as high as those found in 292/342. SSII mutants are known in pea (rug5, Craig et al., 1998) and Chlamydomonas (Fontaine et al., 1993) and give rise to amylopectins with reduced chain length distributions, as observed here. There is also evidence to suggest that the Shrunken-2 mutation in maize arises through mutation of the SSII gene although this has yet to be conclusively demonstrated (Ham et al., 1998, Knight et al., 1998). In maize, the Shrunken-2 mutation gives rise to starches with reduced gelatinisation temperatures (Campbell et al., 1994). In wheat, Yamamori has developed a triple null line that lacks the Sgp-1 protein (Yamamori 1998) that has been shown by Li et al (Li et al, 1999b) to be the product of the SSII gene. In wheat, amylose content is increased to about 35% and abnormal starch granules, altered crystallinity and altered gelatinisation temperature are observed (Yamamori 1998). The differences in properties between the barley SSII mutants and SSII mutants from other species are quite unexpected.

[0232] The SSII mutation has been shown to be able to be transferred by breeding from one genetic background to another and yield diagnostic grain morphology and composition typical of the original 292, 342 and MK6827. In table (9) data from 292× Tantangara doubled haploid lines for the L/T ratio, β-glucan content, chain length distribution, RVA and flour swelling volume parameters demonstrate that lines carrying the 292 mutation show phenotypes typical of the 292 parent. In a further demonstration, the segregation of seed from the selfed progeny of a second backcross of 292 to Sloop showed a segregation ratio consistent with 3:1 segregation for the normal (74 seeds with L/T ratio <3.5) and shrunken phenotypes (21 seeds L/T ratio >3.5).

[0233] The availability of the sequence of the SSII gene and barley transformation systems provides the tools required to knock out the SSII gene using gene suppression technologies, in order to produce a comparable phenotype to that found with the SSII mutations. A recently developed highly effective strategy is to produce a hairpin construct designed to produce a double stranded RNA which would suppress the endogenous SSII activity. While complete knock out mutants analogous to the mutations described here would be of interest, the use of DNA constructs with differing promoters, and the recovery of transgenes with differing levels of hairpin construct expression, would allow the impact of titrating the expression of the gene from normal levels to complete knockdown levels to be assessed.

[0234] The mutations were shown to be able to be transferred from 292 into alternative barely genetic backgrounds, while retaining essential features of the original 292 mutation. In Tables 9 and 10, phenotypic data for 292× Tantangara doubled haploid progeny, and the seed from a second backcross to Sloop, are shown, and indicate that the phenotypes are transferred through the breeding process. TABLE 1 Barley Grain Composition Amylose Amylose Content Content by Total Insoluble Soluble Starch By iodine Protein Dietary Dietary Dietary Content HPLC binding Content β-glucan Fibre^(a) Fibre^(a) Fibre^(a) (%)^(a) (%)^(b) (%) (%)^(a) (%)^(a) (%) (%) (%) Glacier n.d. 31.0 n.d. 11.5 4.3 21.6 16.6 5   AC38 47   47.4 60.6 10.4 5.8 24.9 28.8 6.1 Himalaya 49   25   25.4 10.0 4.8 27.1 18.1 9   292 17.7 71   68.9 15.0 9.5 30.3 21.4 8.9 342 21.9 62.5 71.7 15.7 8.3 28.3 19.4 8.9 MK6827 10.2 n.d. 44.4 21.3 n.d. n.d. n.d. n.d. Waxiro 42.8 n.d.  5.0 14.6 n.d. 19.8 12.7 7.1. Tantangara 51.6 n.d. 29.5 14.6 n.d. 17.2 12.7 4.5.

[0235] TABLE 2 Grain Dimensions Grain Grain Grain Length Width Thickness Grain weight (mg) (mm) (mm) (mm) L/T Ratio Himalaya 51.01 ± 6.63^(a)  7.01 ± 0.51 3.58 ± 0.34 2.82 ± 0.36 2.48 Tantangara 50.40 ± 6.51^(a)  7.22 ± 0.98 3.60 ± 0.25 2.73 ± 0.21 2.64 Waxiro 45.71 ± 5.21  7.54 ± 0.47 3.40 ± 0.20 2.67 ± 0.19 2.82 AC38 50.79 ± 8.22  7.62 ± 0.65 3.35 ± 0.27 2.64 ± 0.25 2.89 292 32.13 ± 4.67^(a)  7.05 ± 0.49 3.63 ± 0.55 1.58 ± 0.20 4.46 342 35.45 ± 6.01  7.28 ± 0.55 3.76 ± 0.38 1.75 ± 0.18 4.16 MK6827 44.89 ± 3.78 11.20 ± 0.58 3.63 ± 0.27 1.77 ± 0.33 6.33

[0236] TABLE 3 Chain Length Distribution of Isoamylase Debranched Starches Himalaya Tantangara AC38 342 292 MK6827 Dp^(a) %^(b) %^(b) %^(b) %^(b) %^(b) %^(b) DP 24.15 22.40 26.33 38.18 38.96 37.98 6-11 DP 69.12 67.59 67.62 54.14 53.42 55.60 12-30 DP 6.73 10.01 6.05 7.68 7.62 6.42 31-60

[0237] TABLE 4 Barley Starch Thermal Properties Measured by DSC Peak 1 Peak 2 Onset Peak End ΔH Onset Peak End ΔH Glacier 55.4 59.3 65.3 4.2 93.9 101.4 107.7 0.87 AC38 55.0 62.2 68.2 3.9 89.3 100.1 106.9 1.195 Himalaya 56.8 60.9 68.0 4.5 93.1 101.8 108.3 0.78 292 46.0 51.2 58.1 0.29 88.7 97.7 104.9 1.34 342 45.2 50.4 56.8 0.47 86.5 97.0 105.0 1.59

[0238] TABLE 5 RVA Parameters for Barley Starches Normalised Pasting Peak Holding Final Final Temp Viscosity Breakdown Strength Setback Viscosity Viscosity* (C.) Himalaya 871.5 653.1 218.4 235.8 454.2 926 64.9 Namoi 621.7 367.5 254.2 375.3 629.5 1284 65.9 AC38 226.7  87.3 139.4 188.4 327.8 697 68.9 292 92.1** *** 133.9 230 363.9 2055 89.5 342 110.9** *** 144.9 264.5 409.4 1869 87.9 MK6827 18.2** *** 25.7 43.3 69 676 n.d.

[0239] TABLE 6 Starch Crystallinity Data % H2O Crystallinity A B V Sample (W.B) %* %* %* %* 292 29.6 9 — 13 87 342 35.8 12 — 18 81 AC38 26.1 19 93 7 (traces) Himalaya 27.7 27 93 7 (traces) Waxiro 29.7 41 94 6 —

[0240] TABLE 7 Progeny Analysis Cross Shrunken Full Calculated X² value^(c) 292 × Sloop^(a) 45 155 X² (3:1) = 1.0 292 × Tantangara^(b) 45  46 X² (1:1) = 0.01

[0241] TABLE 8 Scoring of 292 × Tantangara Doubled Haploid Lines Seed Line Weight DP6-11 Amylose Number^(a) Husk^(b) (mg) L/T Ratio^(c) (%)^(d) Content^(e) PCR^(f) 1 N 26 3.8 35.87 50.2 292 2 N 24 4.21 36.87 56.2 292 3 H 43 3.32 25.45 18.3 Wt 5 N 40 4.58 39.47 55.5 292 7 N 34 4.28 19.63 43.0 292 8 H 48 3.02 21.6 46.7 Wt 9 N 31 2.76 22.89 25.9 Wt 10 N 26 3.02 27.56 21.1 Wt 11 N 34 3.55 37.90 44.7 292 12 H 50 2.94 26.37 32.8 Wt 13 N 27 4.29 38.68 48.4 292 14 H 56 3.07 22.98 20.8 Wt 15 H 46 2.74 24.88 22.9 Wt 16 H 43 2.78 25.40 18.3 Wt 17 N 31 3.8 37.37 54.2 292 18 N 31 4.51 37.46 57.5 292 19 H 26 3.1 29.57 22.7 Wt 20 H 53 3.04 25.42 23.8 Wt 21 N 31 4.5 38.51 59.1 292 22 N 27 4.63 37.25 27.2 292 23 H 47 2.73 24.11 21.2 Wt 24 N 27 4.58 36.89 42.0 292 26 H 35 3.57 19.50 15.1 Wt 27 H 22 4.3 36.81 48.6 292 28 N 31 4.34 38.88 37.0 292 30 N 30 4.04 38.05 48.4 292 31 N 23 4.25 37.07 51.7 292 32 H 48 2.62 20.67 13.0 Wt 33 N 25 4.92 35.68 33.3 292 34 N 31 4.01 38.34 46.1 292 35 H 43 3.16 20.07 23.6 Wt 36 N 26 4.33 36.93 29.7 292 38 H 38 3.01 21.11 9.1 Wt 39 H 33 2.92 20.49 23.5 Wt 40 H 36 2.99 19.57 2.2 Wt 41 N 30 4.05 37.82 40.9 292 42 H 47 2.95 20.80 11.9 Wt 43 N 40 3.24 21.97 18.1 Wt 45 H 52 2.78 19.97 14.5 Wt 46 N 29 4.44 35.87 32.1 292 47 N 35 3.69 36.34 92.9 292 48 H 31 2.54 20.27 13.4 Wt 49 H 54 2.94 22.29 19.3 Wt 50 H 50 2.94 21.92 20.6 Wt 51 H 43 3.73 20.59 18.1 Wt 53 N 31 4.12 36.52 55.3 292 54 N 34 4.02 35.17 57.1 292 55 H 32 4.19 41.35 60.4 292 56 N 29 3.17 21.48 18.1 Wt 57 H 30 4.85 36.66 46.3 292 58 N 32 2.97 23.83 13.8 Wt 59 N 46 2.91 24.15 9.2 Wt 60 H 44 2.74 22.39 13.5 Wt 61 N 31 4.47 35.67 61.3 292 63 N 32 4.3 36.94 39.4 292 64 H 39 2.93 21.95 20.5 Wt 65 N 26 3.87 37.51 20.7 292 66 N 30 4.03 36.89 48.7 292 67 H 36 3.17 20.24 14.4 Wt 68 N 43 2.65 22.53 8.4 Wt 69 N 32 3.93 36.34 54.7 292 70 H 43 2.77 22.28 17.6 Wt 71 N 29 3.73 38.73 31.5 292 72 H 47 2.65 22.00 20.8 Wt 73 N 36 4.09 39.58 49.0 292 74 N 24 4.18 36.15 47.8 292 75 H 34 2.99 24.42 14.2 Wt 76 N 31 4.35 35.95 49.9 292 77 H 49 3.19 21.22 17.0 Wt 78 H 33 2.78 21.27 15.6 Wt 79 H 31 2.85 23.04 21.2 Wt 80 H 38 3.18 19.88 18.9 Wt 81 H 37 2.84 24.22 16.2 Wt 82 H 33 4.64 39.99 45.3 292 84 N 28 3.62 36.98 28.9 292 85 N 26 6.44 44.43 41.3 292 86 H 32 2.87 30.73 16.1 Wt 88 N 26 4.62 46.12 39.3 292 89 H 38 2.88 31.25 16.3 Wt 90 H 32 3.19 31.11 13.8 Wt 91 N 31 4.17 42.86 37.3 292 92 N 27 3.99 45.30 44.6 292 93 H 37 2.99 30.77 12.5 Wt 94 H 43 3.67 29.46 21.9 Wt 96 N 33 5.69 47.34 52.2 292 97 N 23 3.41 31.36 17.1 Wt 98 N 32 5.95 45.27 52.4 292 99 N 19 3.68 38.36 1.7 292 100 H 36 3.1 31.92 15.4 Wt 101 N 58 3.29 24.71 2.9 Wt

[0242] TABLE 9 Detailed Analysis of Doubled Haploid Lines RVA Peak RVA Final Viscosity Viscosity Ratio β-glucan Flour (RVA (RVA Peak/Final Content Swelling Line L/T Ratio FACE Units) Units) Viscosities (%) Volume Control Sloop 2.78 23.5 535.8 483.5 1.11 2.3 7.54 Tantangara 2.64 22.4 507 395.1 1.28 5.16 5.97 Himalaya 2.48 24.2 873.9 449.3 1.94 8.53 8.18 AC38 2.89 26.33 226.7 327.8 0.69 5.8 3.75 292 4.46 38.9 92.1 363.9 0.25 13.09 2.00 MK6827 6.33 37.98 18.2 69 0.26 n.d. 2.11 Doubled Haploid Line Wild Type  8 3.02 21.6 527.9 431.3 1.22 8.9 6.47  43 3.24 25.4 566.6 527.4 1.07 7.77 6.04  56 3.17 24.9 703.1 523.5 1.34 7.81 6.95  58 2.97 27.9 726.8 588.8 1.23 9.65 6.23  59 2.91 27.0 655 435.8 1.50 7.16 7.21  68 2.65 22.5 876.3 465.5 1.88 8.87 8.63 101 3.29 34.71 471.3 410.3 1.15 6.54 6.26 Mutant SSII  5 4.58 39.5 68.7 316.6 0.217 9.87 2.55  11 3.55 48.2 51.5 240.8 0.21 8.36 2.58  13 4.29 38.7 43.7 265.5 0.16 11.13 2.92  27 4.30 36.8 20.3 96.6 0.21 13.11 2.71  30 4.04 38.05 57.3 251.1 0.23 10.56 2.27  31 4.25 37.1 17.6 124.5 0.14 11.35 2.48  33 4.92 35.7 11.7 83.5 0.14 7.22 2.13  36 4.33 36.9 14.5 93.6 0.15 7.20 2.20  46 4.44 35.9 31.3 175.8 0.18 10.02 2.32  91 4.17 42.9 35.8 189.5 0.19 11.3 2.43

[0243] TABLE 10 Flour Swelling Data for BC2F2 seed Line Swelling Volume C5/1 Plant 1 L:T > 3.5 2.118 C5/1 Plant 1 L:T < 3.5 6.913 65/2 Plant 1 L:T > 3.5 2.382 65/2 Plant 1 L:T < 3.5 7.565 65/2 Plant 2 L:T > 3.5 2.409 65/2 Plant 2 L:T < 3.5 6.707

EXAMPLE 2 Design and Construction of Vectors

[0244] Regions of the barley SSII gene (as defined in FIG. 15) were cloned into vectors for transformation. Three constructs were prepared for each gene target, addressing the gene suppression strategies, (1) sense cosuppression, (2) antisense and (3) duplex-mediated suppression.

[0245]FIG. 16 illustrates the configuration of sequences in DNA constructs designed to suppress the expression of the endogenous target gene. The promoter may be selected from either endosperm-specific (such as High Molecular Weight Glutenin promoter, the wheat SSI promoter, wheat BEII promoter) or promoters not specific for the endosperm (such as ubiquitin or 35S). The construct may also contain other elements that enhance transcription such as the nos 3 element of OCS. The regions of DNA illustrated will be incorporated into vectors containing suitable selectable marker gene sequences and other elements, or into vectors that are co-transformed with vectors containing these sequences.

[0246] Cereal Transformation

[0247] Methods for the transformation of barley (Tingay et al., 1997; Wan et al, 1994) oats (Somers et al., 1992, 1994; Gless et al., 1998; Zhang et al., 1999, Cho et al., 1999) and rye (Castillo et al., 1994; Pena et al., 1984) have been described and can be used to transfer DNA constructs generating transgenic plants.

[0248] Analysis of Transgenics

[0249] Identification of transgenic plants is carried out through identification of the DNA of the DNA construct through PCR or through Southern hybridisation. The levels of the expression of the individual barley starch biosynthetic genes is measured at both the mRNA and protein levels through standard techniques such as Northern hybridisation and Western blotting respectively. The starch and grain content and composition is measured using standard techniques such as those exemplified in Example 1.

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1 56 1 9 PRT Artificial sequence Onobrychis viciifolia 1 His Phe Asp Cys Ala Ala Asp Tyr Lys 1 5 2 13 PRT Artificial sequence Onobrychis viciifolia 2 Lys Glu Asn Phe Gln Val Phe Asp Phe Glu Leu Ser Lys 1 5 10 3 7 PRT Artificial sequence Onobrychis viciifolia 3 Gly Asp Leu Ile Leu Met Asp 1 5 4 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 4 Leu Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Thr Gly Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa 1 5 10 5 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 5 Lys Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Ser Glu Phe Xaa Xaa Asp 1 5 10 6 8 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 6 Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Asn Lys 1 5 7 7 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 7 Xaa Tyr Pro Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 1 5 8 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 8 Leu Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa Thr Gly Xaa Xaa Gly Xaa 1 5 10 9 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 9 Leu Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile Gly Gln 1 5 10 10 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 10 Lys Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Ser Glu Phe Xaa Xaa Asp 1 5 10 11 11 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 11 Lys Lys Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly His Asp 1 5 10 12 8 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 12 Xaa Asp Xaa Xaa Xaa Leu Asn Lys 1 5 13 8 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 13 Asp Asp Ile Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys 1 5 14 7 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 14 Xaa Tyr Pro Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa 1 5 15 7 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 15 Leu Tyr Pro Asp Glu Lys Phe 1 5 16 12 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature 2...2 Xaa is Leu or Ile 16 Phe Xaa Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly His Asp Val Asp Arg 1 5 10 17 5 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature 4...4 Xaa is Leu or Ile 17 Ala Tyr Phe Xaa Asp 1 5 18 15 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature (4)...(10) Xaa is Leu or Ile 18 Glu Tyr Glu Xaa Asp Val Val Xaa Ser Xaa Val Gly Gly Ala Arg 1 5 10 15 19 16 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature (2)...(14) Xaa is Leu or Ile 19 Thr Xaa Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Xaa Gly Gln Phe Xaa Thr Lys 1 5 10 15 20 12 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature (1)...(10) Xaa is Leu or Ile 20 Xaa Gly Phe Gly Tyr Pro Thr Phe Xaa Xaa Val Arg 1 5 10 21 12 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature (1)...(11) Xaa is Leu or Ile 21 Xaa Xaa Asp Gln Xaa Thr Xaa Xaa Glu Ala Xaa Lys 1 5 10 22 28 PRT Desmodium uncinatum 22 Thr Val Ser Gly Ala Ile Pro Ser Met Thr Lys Asn Arg Thr Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile Gly Gln Phe Ile Thr 20 25 23 28 PRT Desmodium uncinatum misc_feature 1...1 Xaa is Thr, Gly, Ser, Asp, Arg or Gln 23 Xaa Val Xaa Gly Ala Ile Pro Ser Met Thr Lys Asn Xaa Thr Xaa Xaa 1 5 10 15 Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile Gly Gln Phe Ile Thr 20 25 24 21 DNA Artificial sequence primer of the Desmodium uncinatum LAR gene 24 ggnttyggnt ayccnacntt y 21 25 30 DNA Artificial sequence primer of the Desmodium uncinatum LAR gene 25 yttnanngcy tcnannanng tnanytgrtc 30 26 228 DNA Artificial sequence primer of the Desmodium uncinatum LAR gene 26 ggg ttc ggt tat ccg acg ttt ttg ctc gta agg cca gga cct gtc tca 48 Gly Phe Gly Tyr Pro Thr Phe Leu Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Pro Val Ser 1 5 10 15 cct tcc aag gct gtc att atc aaa acc ttt caa gac aaa ggt gct aag 96 Pro Ser Lys Ala Val Ile Ile Lys Thr Phe Gln Asp Lys Gly Ala Lys 20 25 30 gtt atc tat ggc gta att aat gac aag gaa tgc atg gag aag att ttg 144 Val Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Asn Asp Lys Glu Cys Met Glu Lys Ile Leu 35 40 45 aag gag tac gag att gat gtc gtc att tct ctt gta gga ggc gca cga 192 Lys Glu Tyr Glu Ile Asp Val Val Ile Ser Leu Val Gly Gly Ala Arg 50 55 60 cta ttg gac cag ctc acc ctc ctc gag gcc ctc aaa 228 Leu Leu Asp Gln Leu Thr Leu Leu Glu Ala Leu Lys 65 70 75 27 76 PRT Artificial sequence Desmodium uncinatum LAR gene 27 Gly Phe Gly Tyr Pro Thr Phe Leu Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Pro Val Ser 1 5 10 15 Pro Ser Lys Ala Val Ile Ile Lys Thr Phe Gln Asp Lys Gly Ala Lys 20 25 30 Val Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Asn Asp Lys Glu Cys Met Glu Lys Ile Leu 35 40 45 Lys Glu Tyr Glu Ile Asp Val Val Ile Ser Leu Val Gly Gly Ala Arg 50 55 60 Leu Leu Asp Gln Leu Thr Leu Leu Glu Ala Leu Lys 65 70 75 28 1652 DNA Desmodium uncinatum CDS (122)..(1267) n is any nucleotide residue 28 gcctcaactc acttttgtgt gatacgctcc aagcaaaagc tagctaagaa caagaaaata 60 tacatagaaa agcaagatcc gaggttgttg gaaaaaataa attgagaaag aagaagaaaa 120 t atg acg gta tcg ggt gca att cct tca atg acc aag aac cga act ttg 169 Met Thr Val Ser Gly Ala Ile Pro Ser Met Thr Lys Asn Arg Thr Leu 1 5 10 15 gtg gtc gga gga act ggg ttc ata ggt cag ttc ata act aag gca agt 217 Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile Gly Gln Phe Ile Thr Lys Ala Ser 20 25 30 ctt ggc ttt ggg tac cct acc ttt ttg ctc gta agg cca gga cct gtc 265 Leu Gly Phe Gly Tyr Pro Thr Phe Leu Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Pro Val 35 40 45 tca cct tcc aag gct gtc att atc aaa acc ttt caa gac aaa ggt gct 313 Ser Pro Ser Lys Ala Val Ile Ile Lys Thr Phe Gln Asp Lys Gly Ala 50 55 60 aag gtt atc tat ggt gta att aat gac aag gaa tgc atg gag aag att 361 Lys Val Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Asn Asp Lys Glu Cys Met Glu Lys Ile 65 70 75 80 ttg aag gag tac gag att gat gtc gtc att tct ctt gta gga ggc gca 409 Leu Lys Glu Tyr Glu Ile Asp Val Val Ile Ser Leu Val Gly Gly Ala 85 90 95 cga cta ttg gat cag ctt acc ttg ttg gag gcc ata aaa tct gtg aag 457 Arg Leu Leu Asp Gln Leu Thr Leu Leu Glu Ala Ile Lys Ser Val Lys 100 105 110 act atc aag agg ttt ctg cct tca gag ttt ggg cac gat gtg gat agg 505 Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly His Asp Val Asp Arg 115 120 125 aca gat cct gta gag cca gga ttg aca atg tac aaa gag aag cgt ttg 553 Thr Asp Pro Val Glu Pro Gly Leu Thr Met Tyr Lys Glu Lys Arg Leu 130 135 140 gtt agg cgt gct gtt gag gaa tat ggg att cct ttc acc aac att tgc 601 Val Arg Arg Ala Val Glu Glu Tyr Gly Ile Pro Phe Thr Asn Ile Cys 145 150 155 160 tgc aac tcc att gct tct tgg cct tat tat gac aat tgt cac cct tcc 649 Cys Asn Ser Ile Ala Ser Trp Pro Tyr Tyr Asp Asn Cys His Pro Ser 165 170 175 cag gtc cct cca ccc atg gat cag ttt caa atc tat ggt gat ggc aac 697 Gln Val Pro Pro Pro Met Asp Gln Phe Gln Ile Tyr Gly Asp Gly Asn 180 185 190 acc aaa gct tac ttc att gat ggc aat gat att gga aag ttc aca atg 745 Thr Lys Ala Tyr Phe Ile Asp Gly Asn Asp Ile Gly Lys Phe Thr Met 195 200 205 aag acc att gat gat atc aga aca ctg aac aaa aat gtt cat ttt cga 793 Lys Thr Ile Asp Asp Ile Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Asn Val His Phe Arg 210 215 220 ccc tcg agc aac tgt tat tcc atc aat gaa ctt gct tct tta tgg gaa 841 Pro Ser Ser Asn Cys Tyr Ser Ile Asn Glu Leu Ala Ser Leu Trp Glu 225 230 235 240 aag aaa att gga cgt aca ctt ccc aga ttc acc gta aca gcg gat aaa 889 Lys Lys Ile Gly Arg Thr Leu Pro Arg Phe Thr Val Thr Ala Asp Lys 245 250 255 ctt ctt gct cat gct gca gaa aat att ata cca gaa agt att gta tca 937 Leu Leu Ala His Ala Ala Glu Asn Ile Ile Pro Glu Ser Ile Val Ser 260 265 270 tcg ttc acc cat gat att ttc atc aac ggt tgc caa gtt aac ttc agc 985 Ser Phe Thr His Asp Ile Phe Ile Asn Gly Cys Gln Val Asn Phe Ser 275 280 285 ata gat gaa cat agt gat gtt gag att gac aca ctc tat cca gat gaa 1033 Ile Asp Glu His Ser Asp Val Glu Ile Asp Thr Leu Tyr Pro Asp Glu 290 295 300 aaa ttt cga tcc ttg gac gat tgc tat gag gac ttt gtt ccc atg gtc 1081 Lys Phe Arg Ser Leu Asp Asp Cys Tyr Glu Asp Phe Val Pro Met Val 305 310 315 320 cat gac aag att cat gca gga aaa agt gga gaa att aaa att aaa gat 1129 His Asp Lys Ile His Ala Gly Lys Ser Gly Glu Ile Lys Ile Lys Asp 325 330 335 gga aag ccc ttg gta cag acc gga aca att gaa gaa att aat aag gac 1177 Gly Lys Pro Leu Val Gln Thr Gly Thr Ile Glu Glu Ile Asn Lys Asp 340 345 350 ata aag act ttg gta gag aca caa cca aat gaa gaa att aaa aag gat 1225 Ile Lys Thr Leu Val Glu Thr Gln Pro Asn Glu Glu Ile Lys Lys Asp 355 360 365 atg aag gct ttg gta gag gca gtg cca att tca gct atg ggc 1267 Met Lys Ala Leu Val Glu Ala Val Pro Ile Ser Ala Met Gly 370 375 380 tagttgaaaa tgaaccacct taatattttc tgttcccact 1307 ttcatggact ttggtggagg cagaaattca ttatattcat gaataatttt agaatcttat 1367 tcaaaaggtc ccctggtttg tttctattca gatcaaacta tttcatattc acctaaataa 1427 ttagtttgat tttctgatcg aactagttat ggatgttgca tgtcttgcat ggctacaata 1487 agttctagtc tattggtctt ggttctactc ttttagattt aattactacc ttatgcttgc 1547 tatgggatca aattttcaga atgtacgtat gtacggttga gaatgtcctt tgtggttaat 1607 gaattttatc tgtccttatt gatgatgtat tcnatatatt attga 1652 29 382 PRT Desmodium uncinatum 29 Met Thr Val Ser Gly Ala Ile Pro Ser Met Thr Lys Asn Arg Thr Leu 1 5 10 15 Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile Gly Gln Phe Ile Thr Lys Ala Ser 20 25 30 Leu Gly Phe Gly Tyr Pro Thr Phe Leu Leu Val Arg Pro Gly Pro Val 35 40 45 Ser Pro Ser Lys Ala Val Ile Ile Lys Thr Phe Gln Asp Lys Gly Ala 50 55 60 Lys Val Ile Tyr Gly Val Ile Asn Asp Lys Glu Cys Met Glu Lys Ile 65 70 75 80 Leu Lys Glu Tyr Glu Ile Asp Val Val Ile Ser Leu Val Gly Gly Ala 85 90 95 Arg Leu Leu Asp Gln Leu Thr Leu Leu Glu Ala Ile Lys Ser Val Lys 100 105 110 Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly His Asp Val Asp Arg 115 120 125 Thr Asp Pro Val Glu Pro Gly Leu Thr Met Tyr Lys Glu Lys Arg Leu 130 135 140 Val Arg Arg Ala Val Glu Glu Tyr Gly Ile Pro Phe Thr Asn Ile Cys 145 150 155 160 Cys Asn Ser Ile Ala Ser Trp Pro Tyr Tyr Asp Asn Cys His Pro Ser 165 170 175 Gln Val Pro Pro Pro Met Asp Gln Phe Gln Ile Tyr Gly Asp Gly Asn 180 185 190 Thr Lys Ala Tyr Phe Ile Asp Gly Asn Asp Ile Gly Lys Phe Thr Met 195 200 205 Lys Thr Ile Asp Asp Ile Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Asn Val His Phe Arg 210 215 220 Pro Ser Ser Asn Cys Tyr Ser Ile Asn Glu Leu Ala Ser Leu Trp Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Lys Ile Gly Arg Thr Leu Pro Arg Phe Thr Val Thr Ala Asp Lys 245 250 255 Leu Leu Ala His Ala Ala Glu Asn Ile Ile Pro Glu Ser Ile Val Ser 260 265 270 Ser Phe Thr His Asp Ile Phe Ile Asn Gly Cys Gln Val Asn Phe Ser 275 280 285 Ile Asp Glu His Ser Asp Val Glu Ile Asp Thr Leu Tyr Pro Asp Glu 290 295 300 Lys Phe Arg Ser Leu Asp Asp Cys Tyr Glu Asp Phe Val Pro Met Val 305 310 315 320 His Asp Lys Ile His Ala Gly Lys Ser Gly Glu Ile Lys Ile Lys Asp 325 330 335 Gly Lys Pro Leu Val Gln Thr Gly Thr Ile Glu Glu Ile Asn Lys Asp 340 345 350 Ile Lys Thr Leu Val Glu Thr Gln Pro Asn Glu Glu Ile Lys Lys Asp 355 360 365 Met Lys Ala Leu Val Glu Ala Val Pro Ile Ser Ala Met Gly 370 375 380 30 18 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 30 His Asp Lys Ile His Ala Gly Lys Ser Gly Glu Ile Lys Ile Lys Asp 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys 31 21 PRT Artificial sequence Synthetic construct 31 Asn Lys Asp Ile Lys Thr Leu Val Glu Thr Gln Pro Asn Glu Glu Ile 1 5 10 15 Lys Lys Asp Met Lys 20 32 318 PRT Medicago truncatula 32 Met Ala Thr Glu Asn Lys Ile Leu Ile Leu Gly Pro Thr Gly Ala Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Ile Val Trp Ala Ser Ile Lys Ala Gly Asn Pro Thr Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Leu Val Arg Lys Thr Pro Gly Asn Val Asn Lys Pro Lys Leu Ile 35 40 45 Thr Ala Ala Asn Pro Glu Thr Lys Glu Glu Leu Ile Asp Asn Tyr Gln 50 55 60 Ser Leu Gly Val Ile Leu Leu Glu Gly Asp Ile Asn Asp His Glu Thr 65 70 75 80 Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Ile Val Ile Cys Ala Ala Gly 85 90 95 Arg Leu Leu Ile Glu Asp Gln Val Lys Ile Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu 100 105 110 Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Lys Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Leu Asp Val 115 120 125 Asp Arg His Glu Ala Val Glu Pro Val Arg Gln Val Phe Glu Glu Lys 130 135 140 Ala Ser Ile Arg Arg Val Ile Glu Ala Glu Gly Val Pro Tyr Thr Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Cys Cys His Ala Phe Thr Gly Tyr Phe Leu Arg Asn Leu Ala Gln 165 170 175 Leu Asp Val Thr Asp Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp 180 185 190 Gly Asn Val Lys Gly Ala Tyr Val Thr Glu Ala Asp Val Gly Thr Phe 195 200 205 Thr Ile Lys Ala Ala Asn Asp Pro Asn Thr Leu Asn Lys Ala Val His 210 215 220 Ile Arg Leu Pro Lys Asn Tyr Leu Thr Gln Asn Glu Val Ile Ser Leu 225 230 235 240 Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys Thr Tyr Val Ser Glu 245 250 255 Glu Gln Val Leu Lys Asp Ile Gln Glu Ser Ser Phe Pro His Asn Tyr 260 265 270 Leu Leu Ala Leu Tyr His Ser Gln Gln Ile Lys Gly Asp Ala Val Tyr 275 280 285 Glu Ile Asp Pro Thr Lys Asp Ile Glu Ala Ser Glu Ala Tyr Pro Asp 290 295 300 Val Thr Tyr Thr Thr Ala Asp Glu Tyr Leu Asn Gln Phe Val 305 310 315 33 312 PRT Lupinis albus 33 Met Gly Lys Ser Lys Val Leu Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Val Gly 1 5 10 15 Arg Arg Ile Val Lys Ala Ser Leu Glu His Gly His Glu Thr Phe Ile 20 25 30 Leu Gln Arg Pro Glu Ile Gly Leu Asp Ile Glu Lys Leu Gln Ile Leu 35 40 45 Leu Ser Phe Lys Lys Gln Gly Ala Ile Leu Val Glu Ala Ser Phe Ser 50 55 60 Asp His Lys Ser Leu Val Asp Ala Val Lys Leu Val Asp Val Val Ile 65 70 75 80 Cys Thr Met Ser Gly Val His Phe Arg Ser His Asn Leu Leu Thr Gln 85 90 95 Leu Lys Leu Val Glu Ala Ile Lys Asp Ala Gly Asn Ile Lys Arg Phe 100 105 110 Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Met Asp Pro Ala Leu Met Gly His Ala Leu 115 120 125 Glu Pro Gly Arg Val Thr Phe Asp Glu Lys Met Thr Val Arg Lys Ala 130 135 140 Ile Glu Glu Ala Asn Ile Pro Phe Thr Tyr Ile Ser Ala Asn Cys Phe 145 150 155 160 Ala Gly Tyr Phe Ala Gly Asn Leu Ser Gln Met Lys Thr Leu Leu Pro 165 170 175 Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Leu Leu Tyr Gly Asp Gly Asn Val Lys Pro Val 180 185 190 Tyr Met Asp Glu Asp Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Thr Ile Lys Thr Ile Asp 195 200 205 Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Thr Val Tyr Leu Arg Pro Pro Glu Asn 210 215 220 Ile Leu Thr His Lys Glu Leu Ile Glu Lys Trp Glu Glu Leu Ile Gly 225 230 235 240 Lys Gln Leu Glu Lys Asn Ser Ile Ser Glu Lys Asp Phe Leu Ser Thr 245 250 255 Leu Lys Gly Leu Asp Phe Ala Ser Gln Val Gly Val Gly His Phe Tyr 260 265 270 His Ile Phe Tyr Glu Gly Cys Leu Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Glu Asn 275 280 285 Gly Glu Glu Ala Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Asn Tyr Thr Arg Met 290 295 300 Asp Gln Tyr Leu Lys Val Tyr Val 305 310 34 318 PRT Pisum sativum 34 Met Ala Thr Glu Asn Lys Ile Leu Ile Leu Gly Ala Thr Gly Ala Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Ile Val Trp Ala Ser Ile Lys Ala Gly Asn Pro Thr Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Leu Val Arg Lys Thr Ser Asp Asn Val Asn Lys Pro Lys Leu Thr 35 40 45 Glu Ala Ala Asn Pro Glu Thr Lys Glu Glu Leu Leu Lys Asn Tyr Gln 50 55 60 Ala Ser Gly Val Ile Leu Leu Glu Gly Asp Ile Asn Asp His Glu Thr 65 70 75 80 Leu Val Asn Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Thr Val Ile Cys Ala Ala Gly 85 90 95 Arg Leu Leu Ile Glu Asp Gln Val Lys Val Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu 100 105 110 Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Leu Asp Val 115 120 125 Asp Arg His Asp Ala Val Glu Pro Val Arg Gln Val Phe Glu Glu Lys 130 135 140 Ala Ser Ile Arg Arg Val Val Glu Ser Glu Gly Val Pro Tyr Thr Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Cys Cys His Ala Phe Thr Gly Tyr Phe Leu Arg Asn Leu Ala Gln 165 170 175 Ile Asp Ala Thr Asp Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp 180 185 190 Gly Asn Val Arg Gly Ala Tyr Val Thr Glu Ala Asp Val Gly Thr Tyr 195 200 205 Thr Ile Arg Ala Ala Asn Asp Pro Asn Thr Leu Asn Lys Ala Val His 210 215 220 Ile Arg Leu Pro Asn Asn Tyr Leu Thr Ala Asn Glu Val Ile Ala Leu 225 230 235 240 Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys Thr Tyr Val Ser Glu 245 250 255 Glu Gln Val Leu Lys Asp Ile Gln Thr Ser Ser Phe Pro His Asn Tyr 260 265 270 Leu Leu Ala Leu Tyr His Ser Gln Gln Ile Lys Gly Asp Ala Val Tyr 275 280 285 Glu Ile Asp Pro Ala Lys Asp Val Glu Ala Tyr Asp Ala Tyr Pro Asp 290 295 300 Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Ala Asp Glu Tyr Leu Asn Gln Phe Val 305 310 315 35 307 PRT Glycine max 35 Met Ala Ala Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Val Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Ile Val Lys Ala Ser Ser Glu Ala Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Thr Leu Ser His Pro Glu Lys Phe Lys Leu 35 40 45 Ile Glu Ser Phe Lys Thr Ser Gly Val Thr Leu Leu Tyr Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Thr Asp His Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ala Leu Gly Ala Glu Gln Ile Asp Asp Gln Val Lys Ile Ile 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Ile Lys Arg Leu Leu Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly His Asp Val Asp His His Asn Ala Val Glu Pro Val Ser Ser 115 120 125 Phe Phe Glu Lys Lys Val Lys Ile Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Ile Ser Ser Asn Ser Phe Ala Gly His Phe Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Asn Leu Leu Gln Gln Asn Val Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Glu Val 165 170 175 Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ile Lys Gly Val Tyr Val Ile Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Val Ala Thr Tyr Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Pro His Ala Asn Val Leu Thr Phe Asn 210 215 220 Glu Leu Val Ser Leu Trp Glu Asn Lys Ile Lys Ser Ser Leu Asp Lys 225 230 235 240 Ile Tyr Val Pro Glu Asp Gln Leu Leu Lys Ser Ile Gln Glu Ser Ser 245 250 255 Phe Pro Ala Asn Phe Met Leu Ala Leu Gly His Ser Met Leu Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp Cys Asn Tyr Glu Ile Asp Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala Ser 275 280 285 Lys Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Asn Tyr Leu Asn 290 295 300 Ala Phe Val 305 36 318 PRT Cicer arietinum 36 Met Ala Ser Gln Asn Arg Ile Leu Val Leu Gly Pro Thr Gly Ala Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Val Val Trp Ala Ser Ile Lys Ala Gly Asn Pro Thr Tyr 20 25 30 Ala Leu Ile Arg Lys Thr Pro Gly Asp Ile Asn Lys Pro Ser Leu Val 35 40 45 Ala Ala Ala Asn Pro Glu Ser Lys Glu Glu Leu Leu Gln Ser Phe Lys 50 55 60 Ala Ala Gly Val Ile Leu Leu Glu Gly Asp Met Asn Asp His Glu Ala 65 70 75 80 Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Thr Val Ile Cys Thr Phe Gly 85 90 95 Arg Leu Leu Ile Leu Asp Gln Val Lys Ile Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu 100 105 110 Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Leu Asp Val 115 120 125 Asp Arg His Asp Ala Val Asp Pro Val Arg Pro Val Phe Asp Glu Lys 130 135 140 Ala Ser Ile Arg Arg Val Val Glu Ala Glu Gly Val Pro Tyr Thr Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Cys Cys His Ala Phe Thr Gly Tyr Phe Leu Arg Asn Leu Ala Gln 165 170 175 Phe Asp Ala Thr Glu Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Ile Ile Leu Gly Asp 180 185 190 Gly Asn Val Lys Gly Ala Tyr Val Thr Glu Ala Asp Val Gly Thr Tyr 195 200 205 Thr Ile Arg Ala Ala Asn Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Ala Val His 210 215 220 Ile Arg Leu Pro His Asn Tyr Leu Thr Ser Asn Glu Val Val Ser Leu 225 230 235 240 Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys Ser Tyr Ile Ser Glu 245 250 255 Glu Lys Val Leu Lys Asp Ile Asn Val Ser Thr Phe Pro His Asn Tyr 260 265 270 Leu Leu Ala Leu Tyr His Ser Gln Gln Ile Lys Gly Asp Ala Val Tyr 275 280 285 Glu Ile Asp Pro Ala Lys Asp Ala Glu Ala Tyr Asp Leu Tyr Pro Asp 290 295 300 Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Ala Asp Glu Tyr Leu Asp Gln Phe Val 305 310 315 37 308 PRT Solanum tuberosum 37 Met Ala Gly Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Phe Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Ile Val Glu Ala Ser Ala Lys Ala Gly His Asp Thr Phe 20 25 30 Val Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Thr Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Thr Lys Leu 35 40 45 Ile Asp Thr Phe Lys Ser Phe Gly Val Thr Phe Val His Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Tyr Asp His Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Thr Val Gly His Ala Leu Leu Ala Asp Gln Val Lys Leu Ile 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Ala 115 120 125 Ala Phe Asn Thr Lys Ala Gln Ile Arg Arg Val Val Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Phe Thr Tyr Val Ala Thr Phe Phe Phe Ala Gly Tyr Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Asn Leu Ala Gln Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Pro Asn Asp Lys Val 165 170 175 Val Ile Leu Gly His Gly Asn Thr Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Lys Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Asn Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Lys Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Ile Lys Pro Pro His Asn Ile Ile Thr Leu Asn 210 215 220 Glu Leu Val Ser Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Thr Gly Lys Asn Leu Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 Leu Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gln Val Leu Lys Asn Ile Gln Glu Ala Ser 245 250 255 Val Pro Met Asn Val Gly Leu Ser Ile Tyr His Thr Ala Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp His Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Glu Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Val Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Pro Ile Asp Glu Ile Leu 290 295 300 Asn Gln Tyr Val 305 38 310 PRT Nicotiana tabacum 38 Met Val Val Ser Glu Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly 1 5 10 15 Tyr Ile Gly Lys Tyr Leu Val Glu Thr Ser Ala Lys Ser Gly His Pro 20 25 30 Thr Phe Ala Leu Ile Arg Glu Ser Thr Leu Lys Asn Pro Glu Lys Ser 35 40 45 Lys Leu Ile Asp Thr Phe Lys Ser Tyr Gly Val Thr Leu Leu Phe Gly 50 55 60 Asp Ile Ser Asn Gln Glu Ser Leu Leu Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp 65 70 75 80 Val Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Gly Gln Gln Phe Thr Asp Gln Val Asn 85 90 95 Ile Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro 100 105 110 Ser Glu Phe Gly Phe Asp Val Asp His Ala Arg Ala Ile Glu Pro Ala 115 120 125 Ala Ser Leu Phe Ala Leu Lys Val Arg Ile Arg Arg Met Ile Glu Ala 130 135 140 Glu Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ile Cys Asn Trp Phe Ala Asp Phe 145 150 155 160 Phe Leu Pro Asn Leu Gly Gln Leu Glu Ala Lys Thr Pro Pro Arg Asp 165 170 175 Lys Val Val Ile Phe Gly Asp Gly Asn Pro Lys Ala Ile Tyr Val Lys 180 185 190 Glu Glu Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Thr Ile Glu Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg 195 200 205 Thr Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu His Met Arg Pro Pro Ala Asn Ile Leu Ser 210 215 220 Phe Asn Glu Ile Val Ser Leu Trp Glu Asp Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu 225 230 235 240 Glu Lys Leu Tyr Leu Ser Glu Glu Asp Ile Leu Gln Ile Val Gln Glu 245 250 255 Gly Pro Leu Pro Leu Arg Thr Asn Leu Ala Ile Cys His Ser Val Phe 260 265 270 Val Asn Gly Asp Ser Ala Asn Phe Glu Val Gln Pro Pro Thr Gly Val 275 280 285 Glu Ala Thr Glu Leu Tyr Pro Lys Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu 290 295 300 Phe Tyr Asn Lys Phe Val 305 310 39 319 PRT Arabidopsis thaliana 39 Met Thr Ser Lys Ile Leu Val Ile Gly Ala Thr Gly Leu Ile Gly Lys 1 5 10 15 Val Leu Val Glu Glu Ser Ala Lys Ser Gly His Ala Thr Phe Ala Leu 20 25 30 Val Arg Glu Ala Ser Leu Ser Asp Pro Val Lys Ala Gln Leu Val Glu 35 40 45 Arg Phe Lys Asp Leu Gly Val Thr Ile Leu Tyr Val Arg Ser Asn Pro 50 55 60 Leu Leu Met Leu Gly Ser Leu Ser Asp Lys Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala 65 70 75 80 Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val Ile Ser Ala Val Gly Arg Phe Gln Thr 85 90 95 Glu Ile Leu Asn Gln Thr Asn Ile Ile Asp Ala Ile Lys Glu Ser Gly 100 105 110 Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg 115 120 125 Thr Val Ala Ile Glu Pro Thr Leu Ser Glu Phe Ile Thr Lys Ala Gln 130 135 140 Ile Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Ala Lys Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Val 145 150 155 160 Ser Gly Cys Phe Ala Gly Leu Phe Val Pro Cys Leu Gly Gln Cys His 165 170 175 Leu Arg Leu Arg Ser Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val Ser Ile Tyr Asp Thr 180 185 190 Gly Asn Gly Lys Ala Ile Val Asn Thr Glu Glu Asp Ile Val Ala Tyr 195 200 205 Thr Leu Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr 210 215 220 Ile His Pro Pro Asn Tyr Ile Val Ser Gln Asn Asp Met Val Gly Leu 225 230 235 240 Trp Glu Glu Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys Thr Tyr Val Ser Glu 245 250 255 Glu Glu Leu Leu Lys Thr Ile Gln Glu Ser Lys Pro Pro Met Asp Phe 260 265 270 Leu Val Gly Leu Ile His Thr Ile Leu Val Lys Ser Asp Phe Thr Ser 275 280 285 Phe Thr Ile Asp Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro 290 295 300 Glu Val Lys Tyr Thr Ser Val Asp Glu Phe Leu Asn Arg Phe Ile 305 310 315 40 308 PRT Arabidopsis thaliana 40 Met Thr Ser Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Phe Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Tyr Ile Val Glu Ala Ser Ala Arg Ser Gly His Pro Thr Leu 20 25 30 Val Leu Val Arg Asn Ser Thr Leu Thr Ser Pro Ser Arg Ser Ser Thr 35 40 45 Ile Glu Asn Phe Lys Asn Leu Gly Val Gln Phe Leu Leu Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Asp Asp His Thr Ser Leu Val Asn Ser Ile Lys Gln Ala Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Thr Val Gly His Ser Leu Leu Gly His Gln Tyr Lys Ile Ile 85 90 95 Ser Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg Val Phe Thr Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Ser 115 120 125 Ala Tyr Ala Thr Lys Ala Lys Ile Arg Arg Thr Ile Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Cys Asn Phe Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Thr Leu Ala Gln Pro Gly Ala Thr Ser Ala Pro Arg Asp Lys Val 165 170 175 Ile Val Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Pro Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Lys Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Asn Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Ile Arg Pro Pro Met Asn Thr Tyr Ser Phe Asn 210 215 220 Asp Leu Val Ser Leu Trp Glu Asn Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 Ile Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gln Leu Leu Lys Gln Ile Ile Glu Ser Ser 245 250 255 Pro Pro Leu Asn Val Met Leu Ser Leu Cys His Cys Val Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Gly His Thr Ser Phe Glu Ile Glu Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Ile Leu 290 295 300 Asn Gln Tyr Val 305 41 308 PRT Pinus taeda 41 Met Gly Ser Arg Ser Arg Ile Leu Leu Ile Gly Ala Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Asp Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Thr Ala Ser Ser Asn Ser Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Leu Glu Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Asn Ile Val His Gly Ser 50 55 60 Ile Asp Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Asn Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Gln Ile Glu Ser Gln Val Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Val Gly Thr Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Asn Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Glu Val Lys Ala Lys Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Leu Arg Ser Leu Ala Gln Ala Gly Leu Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys 165 170 175 Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Arg Val Val Phe Val Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Leu 210 215 220 Asn Glu Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Asp Lys Thr Leu Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Ala Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Glu Val Leu Lys Leu Ile Ala Asp Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Ala Asn Ile Ser Ile Ala Ile Ser His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Lys Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Pro Ala Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Gln Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser Asn Phe Val 305 42 309 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 42 Met Ser Arg Val Leu Ile Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile Gly Arg Lys 1 5 10 15 Phe Val Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe Val Leu Ser 20 25 30 Arg Pro Glu Val Gly Phe Asp Ile Glu Lys Val His Met Leu Leu Ser 35 40 45 Phe Lys Gln Ala Gly Ala Arg Leu Leu Glu Gly Ser Phe Glu Asp Phe 50 55 60 Gln Ser Leu Val Ala Ala Leu Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val Ile Ser Ala 65 70 75 80 Val Ala Gly Asn His Phe Arg Asn Leu Ile Leu Gln Gln Leu Lys Leu 85 90 95 Val Glu Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Arg Asn Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Met Asp Pro Asp Leu Met Glu His Ala Leu Glu Pro Gly 115 120 125 Asn Ala Val Phe Ile Asp Lys Arg Lys Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala 130 135 140 Ala Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Ile Phe Ala Gly Tyr 145 150 155 160 Leu Ala Gly Gly Leu Ala Gln Ile Gly Arg Leu Met Pro Pro Arg Asp 165 170 175 Glu Val Val Ile Tyr Gly Asp Gly Asn Val Lys Ala Val Trp Val Asp 180 185 190 Glu Asp Asp Val Gly Ile Tyr Thr Leu Lys Thr Ile Asp Asp Pro Arg 195 200 205 Thr Leu Asn Lys Thr Val Tyr Ile Arg Pro Leu Lys Asn Ile Leu Ser 210 215 220 Gln Lys Glu Leu Val Ala Lys Trp Glu Lys Leu Ser Gly Lys Phe Leu 225 230 235 240 Lys Lys Thr Tyr Ile Ser Ala Glu Asp Phe Leu Ala Gly Ile Glu Asp 245 250 255 Gln Pro Tyr Glu His Gln Val Gly Ile Ser His Phe Tyr Gln Met Phe 260 265 270 Tyr Ser Gly Asp Leu Tyr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Arg Glu 275 280 285 Ala Thr Met Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Gln Tyr Thr Thr Met Asp Ser Tyr 290 295 300 Leu Lys Arg Tyr Leu 305 43 314 PRT Thuja plicata 43 Met Asp Lys Lys Ser Arg Val Leu Ile Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Phe Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Arg Ile Val Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly His Pro Thr Tyr 20 25 30 Val Leu Phe Arg Pro Glu Ala Leu Ser Tyr Ile Asp Lys Val Gln Met 35 40 45 Leu Ile Ser Phe Lys Gln Leu Gly Ala Lys Leu Leu Glu Ala Ser Leu 50 55 60 Asp Asp His Gln Gly Leu Val Asp Val Val Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ala Val Ser Gly Gly Leu Val Arg His His Ile Leu Asp Gln 85 90 95 Leu Lys Leu Val Glu Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Ile Lys Arg Phe 100 105 110 Leu Pro Ser Glu Phe Gly Met Asp Pro Asp Val Val Glu Asp Pro Leu 115 120 125 Glu Pro Gly Asn Ile Thr Phe Ile Asp Lys Arg Lys Val Arg Arg Ala 130 135 140 Ile Glu Ala Ala Thr Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Met Phe 145 150 155 160 Ala Gly Phe Phe Ala Gly Ser Leu Ala Gln Leu Gln Asp Ala Pro Arg 165 170 175 Met Met Pro Ala Arg Asp Lys Val Leu Ile Tyr Gly Asp Gly Asn Val 180 185 190 Lys Gly Val Tyr Val Asp Glu Asp Asp Ala Gly Ile Tyr Ile Val Lys 195 200 205 Ser Ile Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu Asn Lys Thr Val Tyr Ile Arg Pro 210 215 220 Pro Met Asn Ile Leu Ser Gln Lys Glu Val Val Glu Ile Trp Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 Leu Ser Gly Leu Ser Leu Glu Lys Ile Tyr Val Ser Glu Asp Gln Leu 245 250 255 Leu Asn Met Lys Asp Lys Ser Tyr Val Glu Lys Met Ala Arg Cys His 260 265 270 Leu Tyr His Phe Phe Ile Lys Gly Asp Leu Tyr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly 275 280 285 Pro Asn Ala Thr Glu Gly Thr Lys Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Lys Tyr Thr 290 295 300 Thr Met Asp Ser Tyr Met Glu Arg Tyr Leu 305 310 44 308 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 44 Met Gly Ser Ser Ser Arg Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Ala Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Asp Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Leu Arg Asp Ser Thr Ser Ser Ser Asn Ser Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Val Glu Ser Phe Lys Asp Ser Ser Ala His Ile Leu His Gly Ser 50 55 60 Ile Glu Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Gln Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Thr Gln Gln Ile Glu Lys Gln Val Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Gly Ile Lys Glu Val Arg Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Arg Asn Asp Val Asp Asn Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Gly Leu Lys Ala Lys Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Ala Ala Asn Leu Ala Gln Ala Gly Leu Lys Thr Pro Pro Lys Asp Lys 165 170 175 Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Ala Val Tyr Val Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Phe 210 215 220 Asn Glu Leu Val Gly Ile Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Asp Lys Thr Leu Asp 225 230 235 240 Lys Val Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Glu Val Leu Lys Leu Ile Ala Glu Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Gly Asn Ile Ser Ile Ala Ile Arg His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Lys Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ile Lys Phe Val 305 45 307 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 45 Met Ala Asn Ser Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Ile Ser Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Ser Ala Ser Asn Pro Glu Lys Ala Lys Leu 35 40 45 Leu Glu Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Ile Ile Val Asn Gly Ser Leu 50 55 60 Glu Asp Gln Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Ile Lys Lys Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ala Val Lys Gly Pro Gln Leu Gly Asp Gln Leu Asn Ile Ile 85 90 95 Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Ile Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg Thr His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Thr 115 120 125 Met Phe Ala Asn Lys Ala Lys Ile Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Leu Phe Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Ser Leu Gly Gln Pro Gly Leu Ser Ser Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Ala 165 170 175 Val Ile Ser Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Val Val Phe Val Lys Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Ala Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Tyr Ser Ile Asn 210 215 220 Asp Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys 225 230 235 240 Thr Tyr Leu Ser Glu Glu Glu Val Leu Lys Lys Ile Ala Glu Ser Pro 245 250 255 Phe Pro Val Asn Ala Met Leu Ser Thr Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Val Glu Ala Ser 275 280 285 Gln Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Glu Glu Tyr Leu Gly 290 295 300 Gln Tyr Val 305 46 307 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 46 Met Ala Asn Ser Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Ile Ser Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Ser Ala Ser Asn Pro Glu Lys Ala Lys Leu 35 40 45 Leu Glu Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Ile Ile Val Asn Gly Ser Leu 50 55 60 Glu Asp Gln Val Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Ile Lys Lys Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ala Val Lys Gly Pro Gln Leu Gly Asp Gln Leu Asn Ile Ile 85 90 95 Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Ile Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg Thr His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Thr 115 120 125 Met Phe Ala Asn Lys Ala Lys Ile Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Leu Phe Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Ser Leu Gly Gln Pro Gly Leu Ser Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Ala 165 170 175 Val Ile Ser Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Val Val Phe Val Lys Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Ala Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Tyr Ser Ile Asn 210 215 220 Asp Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys 225 230 235 240 Thr Tyr Leu Ser Glu Glu Glu Val Leu Lys Lys Ile Ala Glu Ser Pro 245 250 255 Phe Pro Val Asn Ala Met Leu Ser Thr Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Val Glu Ala Ser 275 280 285 Gln Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Glu Glu Tyr Leu Gly 290 295 300 Gln Tyr Val 305 47 308 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 47 Met Gly Ser Lys Ser Arg Val Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Asp Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Leu Arg Glu Ser Thr Pro Ser Ser Asn Ser Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Val Glu Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Lys Ile Leu His Gly Ser 50 55 60 Ile Glu Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Gln Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Gln Ile Glu Asn Gln Val Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Val Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Lys Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Glu Val Lys Ala Lys Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Ile Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Gly Leu Gly Gln Pro Gly Leu Thr Thr Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys 165 170 175 Ile Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Val Val Tyr Ala Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Leu Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Phe 210 215 220 Asn Glu Val Val Gly Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Asp Lys Thr Leu Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Val Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gly Val Leu Lys Leu Ile Ala Asp Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Ala Asn Ile Gly Ile Ala Ile Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Arg Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Ala Asp Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Gln Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Gln Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser Lys Phe Val 305 48 308 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 48 Met Gly Ser Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Ala Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg Gln Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Ser His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Val Arg Asp Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Lys Pro Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Leu Asp Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Asn Ile Leu Lys Gly Ser 50 55 60 Leu Glu Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Lys Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Gly Glu Gln Ile Ala Asn Gln Phe Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Val Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Asn Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Glu Leu Lys Ala Gln Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Ser Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Ser Phe Ala Gln Ala Gly Leu Thr Ser Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys 165 170 175 Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Ala Val Tyr Val Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Ala Ile Lys Ala Ala Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Phe 210 215 220 Asn Glu Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Val Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu His Val Val Lys Leu Ile Ala Glu Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Ala Asn Ile Val Ile Ala Ile Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Lys Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Asp Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Val Glu Gly 275 280 285 Ser Leu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser Ala Phe Val 305 49 308 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 49 Met Gly Ser Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Ala Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg Gln Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Ala Leu Ser His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Val Arg Asp Ser Pro Ala Ser Ser Lys Pro Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Leu Asp Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Asn Ile Leu Lys Gly Ser 50 55 60 Leu Glu Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Lys Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Gly Glu Gln Ile Ala Asn Gln Phe Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Val Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Asn Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Glu Leu Lys Ala Gln Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Ser Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Ser Phe Ala Gln Ala Gly Leu Thr Ser Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys 165 170 175 Val Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Ala Val Tyr Val Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Ala Ile Lys Ala Ala Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Phe 210 215 220 Asn Glu Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Val Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu His Val Val Lys Leu Ile Ala Glu Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Ala Asn Ile Val Ile Ala Ile Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Lys Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Asp Ile Gly Pro Asp Gly Val Glu Gly 275 280 285 Ser Leu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser Ala Phe Val 305 50 308 PRT Tsuga heterophylla 50 Met Gly Ser Lys Ser Arg Val Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Arg His Val Ala Lys Ala Ser Leu Asp Leu Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Leu Leu Leu Arg Glu Ser Thr Ala Ser Ser Asn Ser Glu Lys Ala Gln 35 40 45 Leu Val Glu Ser Phe Lys Ala Ser Gly Ala Asn Ile Leu His Gly Ser 50 55 60 Ile Glu Asp His Ala Ser Leu Val Glu Ala Val Lys Gln Val Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Gln Ile Glu Asn Gln Val Asn Ile 85 90 95 Ile Lys Ala Ile Lys Glu Val Gly Thr Ile Lys Arg Phe Leu Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Lys Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Val Phe Glu Val Lys Ala Lys Val Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Glu 130 135 140 Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Ile Ser Ser Asn Cys Phe Ala Gly Tyr Phe 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Gly Leu Gly Gln Pro Gly Leu Thr Thr Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys 165 170 175 Ile Val Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Val Val Tyr Ala Lys Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Gly Thr Phe Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Leu Arg Thr 195 200 205 Leu Asn Lys Thr Leu Tyr Leu Arg Leu Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser Phe 210 215 220 Asn Glu Val Val Gly Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Asp Lys Thr Leu Glu 225 230 235 240 Lys Val Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gly Val Leu Lys Leu Ile Ala Asp Thr 245 250 255 Pro Phe Pro Ala Asn Ile Gly Ile Ala Ile Gly His Ser Ile Phe Val 260 265 270 Arg Gly Asp Gln Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Gly Ala Asp Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Gln Leu Tyr Pro Glu Val Gln Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser Lys Phe Val 305 51 308 PRT Forsythia X intermedia 51 Met Ala Glu Lys Thr Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Val Ala Glu Ala Ser Ala Lys Ser Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Phe Arg Glu Ser Thr Ile Ser Asp Pro Val Lys Gly Lys Ile 35 40 45 Ile Glu Gly Phe Lys Asn Ser Gly Val Thr Ile Leu Thr Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Tyr Asp His Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Gln Leu Ala Asp Gln Val Lys Ile Ile 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Thr Asp Val Asp Arg Cys His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Ser 115 120 125 Ser Tyr Glu Ile Lys Ser Lys Ile Arg Arg Ala Val Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Phe Thr Phe Val Ser Ser Asn Tyr Phe Ala Gly Tyr Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Thr Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Val Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val 165 170 175 Ile Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Glu Glu His 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Ile Lys Pro Pro Lys Asn Ile Tyr Ser Phe Asn 210 215 220 Glu Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Asn Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys 225 230 235 240 Ile Tyr Val Gln Glu Glu Gln Leu Ile Lys Gln Ile Glu Glu Ser Pro 245 250 255 Phe Pro Ile Asn Ile Val Leu Ala Ile Asn His Ser Val Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp Leu Thr Asn Phe Lys Ile Glu Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Glu Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Ser His Phe Val 305 52 308 PRT Forsythia X intermedia 52 Met Ala Glu Lys Thr Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Val Ala Glu Ala Ser Ala Lys Ser Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Phe Arg Glu Ser Thr Ile Ser Asp Pro Val Lys Gly Lys Ile 35 40 45 Ile Glu Gly Phe Lys Asn Ser Gly Val Thr Ile Leu Thr Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Tyr Asp His Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Thr Val Gly Ser Leu Gln Leu Ala Asp Gln Val Lys Ile Ile 85 90 95 Gly Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Thr Asp Val Asp Arg Cys His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Ser 115 120 125 Ser Phe Glu Ile Lys Ser Lys Ile Arg Arg Ala Val Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Phe Thr Phe Val Ser Ser Asn Tyr Phe Gly Gly Tyr Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Thr Leu Val Gln Pro Gly Val Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Val 165 170 175 Ile Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Glu Glu His 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Arg Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Ile Lys Pro Pro Lys Asn Ile Leu His Ser Met 210 215 220 Lys Leu Val Ala Leu Trp Glu Asn Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys 225 230 235 240 Ile Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gln Leu Ile Lys Gln Ile Glu Glu Ser Pro 245 250 255 Phe Pro Ile Asn Ile Val Leu Ala Ile Asn His Ser Ala Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp Leu Thr Asn Phe Lys Ile Glu Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Glu Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Asn His Phe Val 305 53 308 PRT Populus balsamifera 53 Met Ala Asp Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Ile Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Ile Val Glu Ala Ser Ala Lys Ala Gly His Pro Thr Phe 20 25 30 Ala Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Thr Val Ser Asp Pro Val Lys Arg Glu Leu 35 40 45 Val Glu Lys Phe Lys Asn Leu Gly Val Thr Leu Ile His Gly Asp Val 50 55 60 Asp Gly His Asp Asn Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Arg Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Ala Ile Gly Ser Met Gln Ile Ala Asp Gln Thr Lys Ile Ile 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Met Asp Val Asp His Val Asn Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Thr 115 120 125 Ala Phe Ala Met Lys Ala Gln Ile Arg Arg Ala Ile Glu Ala Ala Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Val Pro Ser Asn Phe Phe Ala Ala Tyr Tyr Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Thr Leu Ala Gln Phe Gly Leu Thr Ala Pro Pro Arg Asp Lys Ile 165 170 175 Thr Ile Leu Gly Asp Gly Asn Ala Lys Leu Val Phe Asn Lys Glu Asp 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Lys Ala Val Asp Asp Ala Arg Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Thr Val Leu Ile Lys Pro Pro Lys Asn Thr Tyr Ser Phe Asn 210 215 220 Glu Leu Ile Asp Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Ile Gly Lys Thr Leu Glu Lys 225 230 235 240 Thr Phe Val Pro Glu Glu Lys Leu Leu Lys Asp Ile Gln Glu Ser Pro 245 250 255 Ile Pro Ile Asn Ile Val Leu Ser Ile Asn His Ser Ala Leu Val Asn 260 265 270 Gly Asp Met Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Asp Pro Ser Trp Gly Leu Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Glu Glu Tyr Leu 290 295 300 Asp Gln Phe Val 305 54 309 PRT Zea mays 54 Met Ala Ser Glu Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Val Val Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Arg His Val Val Ala Ala Ser Ala Arg Leu Gly His Pro Thr 20 25 30 Ser Ala Leu Val Arg Asp Thr Ala Pro Ser Asp Pro Ala Lys Ala Ala 35 40 45 Leu Leu Lys Ser Phe Gln Asp Ala Gly Val Thr Leu Leu Lys Gly Asp 50 55 60 Leu Tyr Asp Gln Ala Ser Leu Val Ser Ala Val Lys Gly Ala Asp Val 65 70 75 80 Val Ile Ser Val Leu Gly Ser Met Gln Ile Ala Asp Gln Ser Arg Leu 85 90 95 Val Asp Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser 100 105 110 Glu Phe Gly Lys Asp Val Asp Arg Thr Gly Ile Val Glu Pro Ala Lys 115 120 125 Ser Ile Leu Gly Ala Lys Val Gly Ile Arg Arg Ala Thr Glu Ala Ala 130 135 140 Gly Ile Pro Tyr Thr Tyr Ala Val Ala Gly Phe Phe Ala Gly Phe Gly 145 150 155 160 Leu Pro Lys Val Gly Gln Val Lys Ala Pro Gly Pro Pro Ala Asp Lys 165 170 175 Ala Val Val Leu Gly Asp Gly Asp Thr Lys Ala Val Phe Val Glu Glu 180 185 190 Gly Asp Ile Ala Thr Tyr Thr Val Leu Ala Ala Asp Asp Pro Arg Ala 195 200 205 Glu Asn Lys Val Leu Tyr Ile Lys Pro Pro Ala Asn Thr Leu Ser His 210 215 220 Asn Glu Leu Leu Ser Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Thr Gly Lys Thr Phe Arg 225 230 235 240 Arg Glu Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Ala Val Leu Lys Gln Ile Gln Glu Ser 245 250 255 Pro Ile Pro Leu Asn Ile Ile Leu Ala Ile Gly His Ala Ala Phe Val 260 265 270 Arg Gly Glu Gln Thr Gly Phe Glu Ile Asp Pro Ala Lys Gly Val Asp 275 280 285 Ala Ser Glu Leu Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Thr Val Asp Glu Tyr 290 295 300 Leu Asn Arg Phe Leu 305 55 308 PRT Solanum tuberosum 55 Met Ala Gly Lys Ser Lys Ile Leu Phe Ile Gly Gly Thr Gly Tyr Ile 1 5 10 15 Gly Lys Phe Ile Val Glu Ala Ser Ala Lys Ala Gly His Asp Thr Phe 20 25 30 Val Leu Val Arg Glu Ser Thr Leu Ser Asn Pro Thr Lys Thr Lys Leu 35 40 45 Ile Asp Thr Phe Lys Ser Phe Gly Val Thr Phe Val His Gly Asp Leu 50 55 60 Tyr Asp His Glu Ser Leu Val Lys Ala Ile Lys Gln Val Asp Val Val 65 70 75 80 Ile Ser Thr Val Gly His Ala Leu Leu Ala Asp Gln Val Lys Leu Ile 85 90 95 Ala Ala Ile Lys Glu Ala Gly Asn Val Lys Arg Phe Phe Pro Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Gly Asn Asp Val Asp Arg Val His Ala Val Glu Pro Ala Lys Ala 115 120 125 Ala Phe Asn Thr Lys Ala Gln Ile Arg Arg Val Val Glu Ala Glu Gly 130 135 140 Ile Pro Phe Thr Tyr Val Ala Thr Phe Phe Phe Ala Gly Tyr Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Pro Asn Leu Ala Gln Pro Gly Ala Ala Gly Pro Pro Asn Asp Lys Val 165 170 175 Val Ile Leu Gly His Gly Asn Thr Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Lys Glu Glu 180 185 190 Asp Ile Gly Thr Tyr Thr Ile Asn Ala Val Asp Asp Pro Lys Thr Leu 195 200 205 Asn Lys Ile Leu Tyr Ile Lys Pro Pro His Asn Ile Ile Thr Leu Asn 210 215 220 Glu Leu Val Ser Leu Trp Glu Lys Lys Thr Gly Lys Asn Leu Glu Arg 225 230 235 240 Leu Tyr Val Pro Glu Glu Gln Val Leu Lys Asn Ile Gln Glu Ala Ser 245 250 255 Val Pro Met Asn Val Gly Leu Ser Ile Tyr His Thr Ala Phe Val Lys 260 265 270 Gly Asp His Thr Asn Phe Glu Ile Glu Pro Ser Phe Gly Val Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Glu Val Tyr Pro Asp Val Lys Tyr Thr Pro Ile Asp Glu Ile Leu 290 295 300 Asn Gln Tyr Val 305 56 320 PRT Citrus paradisi 56 Met Glu Gly Glu Asn Thr Lys Pro Lys Ile Leu Ile Phe Gly Gly Thr 1 5 10 15 Gly Tyr Phe Gly Lys Tyr Met Val Lys Ala Ser Val Ser Ser Gly His 20 25 30 Lys Thr Phe Val Tyr Ala Arg Pro Val Thr Gln Asn Ser Arg Pro Ser 35 40 45 Lys Leu Glu Ile His Lys Glu Phe Gln Gly Ile Gly Val Thr Ile Ile 50 55 60 Glu Gly Glu Leu Asp Glu His Glu Lys Ile Val Ser Ile Leu Lys Glu 65 70 75 80 Val Asp Val Val Ile Ser Thr Val Thr Tyr Pro Gln Cys Lys Asp Gln 85 90 95 Leu Lys Ile Val His Ala Ile Lys Val Ala Gly Asn Ile Lys Arg Phe 100 105 110 Leu Pro Ser Asp Phe Glu Cys Glu Glu Asp Arg Val Arg Pro Leu Pro 115 120 125 Pro Phe Glu Ala Cys Leu Glu Lys Lys Arg Ile Val Arg Arg Ala Ile 130 135 140 Glu Ala Ala Gln Ile Pro Tyr Thr Phe Val Ser Ala Asn Leu Cys Gly 145 150 155 160 Ala Tyr Phe Val Asn Val Leu Leu Arg Pro Ser Glu Ser His Asp Asp 165 170 175 Val Val Val Tyr Gly Ser Gly Glu Ala Lys Ala Val Phe Asn Tyr Glu 180 185 190 Glu Asp Ile Ala Lys Cys Thr Ile Lys Val Ile Asn Asp Pro Arg Thr 195 200 205 Cys Asn Arg Ile Val Ile Tyr Arg Pro Gln Ala Ser Ile Ile Ser Gln 210 215 220 Lys Glu Leu Ile Ser Leu Trp Glu Gln Lys Thr Gly Trp Ser Phe Lys 225 230 235 240 Arg Val His Val Ser Glu Glu Glu Leu Val Lys Leu Ser Glu Thr Leu 245 250 255 Pro Pro Pro Glu Asp Ile Pro Ile Ser Ile Ile His Ser Ala Leu Ala 260 265 270 Lys Gly Asp Leu Met Asn Phe Glu Leu Gly Glu Asp Asp Ile Glu Ala 275 280 285 Ser Met Leu Tyr Pro Asp Phe Lys Phe Thr Thr Ile Asp Gln Leu Leu 290 295 300 Asp Ile Phe Leu Ile Asp Pro Pro Lys Pro Ala Arg Thr Ala Phe Glu 305 310 315 320 

1. Starch obtained from starch granules of grain of a barley plant the barley plant having a reduced level of SSII activity, said starch granules having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content.
 2. The starch of claim 1 with also exhibiting low gelatinisation temperatures.
 3. The starch of claim 2 wherein the onset of the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 4. The starch of claim 2 wherein the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 5. The starch of claim 2 wherein the enthalpy (ΔH) of the first peak is reduced.
 6. The starch of claim 2 exhibits a low swelling volume.
 7. The starch of claim 6 having a swelling volume of less than about 3.2.
 8. The starch of claim 6 having a swelling volume of less than about 3.0.
 9. The starch of claim 6 having a swelling volume of higher than about 2.0.
 10. The starch of claim 1 wherein the starch when gelatinised exhibits reduced peak viscosity.
 11. The starch of claim 1 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 80° C.
 12. The starch of claim 1 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 75° C.
 13. The starch of claim 1 wherein amylose levels in the grain are higher than 30% (w/w) of the starch content.
 14. The starch of claim 1 wherein amylose levels in the grain are higher than 50% (w/w) of the starch content
 15. The starch of claim 1 wherein amylose levels in the grain are higher than 60% (w/w) of the starch content
 16. The starch of claim 1 wherein amylose levels in the grain are higher than 70% (w/w) of the starch content
 17. The starch of claim 1 including the presence of appreciable amounts of starch associated lipid.
 18. The starch of claim 17 wherein the starch associated lipid is measurable as V-complex crystallinity
 19. The starch of claim 18 wherein starch exhibiting V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 10% of the starch crystallinity
 20. The starch of claim 18 wherein starch exhibiting V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 50% of the starch crystallinity
 21. The starch of claim 18 wherein starch exhibiting V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 80% of the starch crystallinity.
 22. The starch of claim 1 wherein the starch exhibit no appreciable amounts of A complex crystallinity of starch.
 23. The starch of claim 1 wherein the starch exhibits low crystallinity.
 24. The starch of claim 23 wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 25. The starch of claim 23 wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 26. The starch of claim 1 wherein the starch exhibits reduced amylopectin chain length distribution
 27. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 25%
 28. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 30%
 29. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 35%
 30. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 65%,
 31. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 60%,
 32. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 55%,
 33. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 10%.
 34. The starch of claim 26 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerization that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 8%.
 35. The starch of claim 34 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 5%.
 36. The starch of claim 34 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 6%.
 37. A grain useful for food production obtained from grain of a barley plant the barley plant having a reduced level of SSII activity, starch of said grain having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content.
 38. The grain of claim 37 wherein the starch has a low gelatinisation temperatures
 39. The grain of claim 38 wherein the onset of the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 40. The starch of claim 38 wherein the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 41. The starch of claim 38 wherein the enthalpy (ΔH) of the first peak is reduced.
 42. The grain of claim 37 where the starch exhibits low swelling on gelatinisation.
 43. The grain of claim 42 wherein swelling volumes of flour or wholemeal made from the grain are less than about 3.2
 44. The grain of claim 43 wherein swelling volumes of flour made from the grain are less than about 3.0
 45. The grain of claim 43 wherein swelling volumes of flour made from the grain are higher than about 2.0
 46. The grain of claim 37 wherein wherein the starch when gelatinised exhibits reduced viscosity.
 47. The grain of claim 37 wherein the starch when gelatinised exhibits reduced peak viscosity.
 48. The grain of claim 37 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is elevated.
 49. The grain of claim 48 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 75° C.
 50. The grain of claim 49 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 80° C.
 51. The grain of claim 37 wherein the grain has an elevated level of β glucan.
 52. The grain of claim 51 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 6% of total non-hulled grain weight
 53. The grain of claim 51 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 7% of total non-hulled grain weight
 54. The grain of claim 51 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 8% of total non-hulled grain weight
 55. The grain of claim 51 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than about 15% of total non-hulled grain weight
 56. The grain of claim 37 wherein the amylose content is higher than 30% (w/w) of the starch content.
 57. The grain of claim 37 wherein the amylose content is higher than 50% (w/w) of the starch content
 58. The grain of claim 37 wherein the amylose content is higher than 60% (w/w) of the starch content
 59. The grain of claim 37 wherein the amylose content is higher than 70% (w/w) of the starch content
 60. The grain of claim 37 exhibit appreciable amounts of starch associated lipid
 61. The grain of claim 56 wherein the starch associated lipid is measurable as V-complex crystallinity.
 62. The grain of claim 56 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 10% of the starch crystallinity
 63. The grain of claim 56 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 50% of the starch crystallinity
 64. The grain of claim 56 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 80% of the starch crystallinity
 65. The grain of claim 37 wherein the starch exhibit no appreciable amounts of A complex crystallinityh.
 66. The grain of claim 37 wherein the starch exhibits low crystallinity
 67. The grain of claim 66 wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 68. The grain of claim 66 wherein wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 69. The grain of claim 37 wherein the starch exhibits a reduced amylopectin chain length distribution.
 70. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 25%
 71. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 30%.
 72. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 35%.
 73. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 65%.
 74. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 60%.
 75. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 55%.
 76. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 10%
 77. The grain of claim 69 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 8%
 78. The grain of claim 77 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 5%,
 79. The grain of claim 77 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 6%,
 80. The grain of claim 37 in a state selected from the group comprising, milled, ground, pearled or rolled, kibbled, cracked, or whole grain.
 81. The grain of claim 80 milled to enhance the amount of aleurone layer present.
 82. The grain of claim 37 having a length to thickness ratio of 4 or less.
 83. The grain of claim 37 having a length to thickness ratio of less than about 5.8
 84. The grain of claim 37 having a length to thickness ratio of less than about 5.5.
 85. The grain of claim 37 wherein the grain exhibits no significant colouration
 86. The grain of claim 37 wherein the grain is naked
 87. The grain of claim 37 having wherein the grain has a starch content of greater than about 12% of the naked grain.
 88. The grain of claim 37 having wherein the grain has a starch content of greater than about 15% of the naked grain.
 89. A barley plant with a reduced level of SSII activity, said barley plant capable of bearing grain, starch of said grain having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content, said grain suitable for food production.
 90. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the starch has a low gelatinisation temperatures
 91. The grain of claim 90 wherein the onset of the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 92. The starch of claim 90 wherein the first peak detected by differential scanning calorimetry is reduced.
 93. The starch of claim 90 wherein the enthalpy (ΔH) of the first peak is reduced.
 94. The barley plant of claim 89 where the starch exhibits low swelling on gelatinisation.
 95. The barley plant of claim 94 wherein swelling volumes of flour made from the grain are less than about 3.2
 96. The barley plant of claim 94 wherein swelling volumes of flour made from the grain are less than about 3.0
 97. The barley plant of claim 94 wherein swelling volumes of flour made from the grain are higher than about 2.0
 98. The barely plant of claim 89 wherein the starch when gelatinised exhibits reduced peak viscosity.
 99. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is elevated.
 100. The barley plant of claim 99 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 75° C.
 101. The barley plant of claim 99 wherein the pasting temperature of the starch is higher than 80° C.
 102. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the grain has an elevated level of β glucan.
 103. The barley plant of claim 102 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 6% of total non-hulled grain weight
 104. The barley plant of claim 102 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 7% of total non-hulled grain weight
 105. The barley plant of claim 102 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than 8% of total non-hulled grain weight
 106. The barley plant of claim 102 wherein the β glucan content that is greater than about 15% of total non-hulled grain weight
 107. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the amylose content is higher than 30% (w/w) of the starch content.
 108. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the amylose content is higher than 50% (w/w) of the starch content
 109. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the amylose content is higher than 60% (w/w) of the starch content
 110. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the amylose content is higher than 70% (w/w) of the starch content
 111. The barley plant of claim 89 exhibit appreciable amounts of starch associated lipid
 112. The barley plant of claim 111 wherein the starch associated lipid is measurable as V-complex crystallinity.
 113. The barley plant of claim 111 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 10% of the starch crystallinity
 114. The barley plant of claim 111 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 50% of the starch crystallinity
 115. The barley plant of claim 111 wherein V complex crystallinity represents greater than about 80% of the starch crystallinity
 116. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the starch exhibit no appreciable amounts of A complex crystallinity.
 117. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the starch exhibits low crystallinity
 118. The barley plant of claim 117 wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 119. The barley plant of claim 117 wherein wherein the proportion of starch that exhibits crystallinity is less than about 20%
 120. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the starch exhibits a reduced amylopectin chain length distribution.
 121. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 25%
 122. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 30%.
 123. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 6 to 11 residues is greater than 35%.
 124. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 65%.
 125. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 60%.
 126. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 12-30 residues is less than 55%.
 127. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 10%
 128. The barley plant of claim 120 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is less than about 8%
 129. The barley plant of claim 128 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 5%,
 130. The barley plant of claim 128 wherein the proportion of starch chains that have a degree of polymerisation that falls in the range of 31-60 residues is greater than about 6%,
 131. The barley plant of claim 89 in a state selected from the group comprising, milled, ground, pearled or rolled, kibbled, cracked, or whole grain.
 132. The barley plant of claim 131 milled to enhance the amount of aleurone layer present.
 133. The barley plant of claim 89 having a length to thickness ratio of 4 or less.
 134. The barley plant of claim 89 having a length to thickness ratio of less than about 5.8
 135. The barley plant of claim 89 having a length to thickness ratio of less than about 5.5.
 136. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the grain does exhibits no significant colouration
 137. The barley plant of claim 89 wherein the grain is naked
 138. The barley plant of claim 89 having wherein the grain has a starch content of greater than about 12% of the naked grain.
 139. The barley plant of claim 89 having wherein the grain has a starch content of greater than about 15% of the naked grain.
 140. An isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding a barley SSII protein said nucleic acid capable of hybridising under stringent conditions with SEQ ID NO
 1. 141. An isolated nucleic acid molecule capable of hybridising in vivo specifically to SEQ ID NO 1 to inhibit expression of SSII.
 142. A cell carrying a replicable recombinant vector carrying a nucleic acid molecule according to claim
 140. 143. Grain from a barley plant carrying the nucleic acid of claim 141 the barley plant having a reduced level of SSII activity, starch produced in the grain having a high amylose content by reason of a reduced amylopectin content. 